Womenstake

Unfair Play on Bill for Fair Pay

by Lara S. Kaufmann, Senior Advisor
National Women’s Law Center

Don’t you hate it when a sound bite completely confuses a critical issue? Yesterday the Boston Globe quoted Senator Mitch McConnell (R-Ky) saying the following on the Ledbetter Fair Pay Act: “We think that this bill is primarily designed to create a massive amount of new litigation in our country, and I think that is the reason for the resistance to its passage on our side.”

Senator McConnell is just plain wrong. The Ledbetter Fair Pay Act was not designed to – nor will it – create litigation; it was designed to restore the law to what it was until last May, when the Supreme Court rolled back the long-standing rights of those suffering from pay discrimination. In fact, it is the Ledbetter decision – not the restorative legislation – that increases the likelihood of litigation. Under the Supreme Court’s ruling, people who have even the slightest suspicion that they are subject to pay discrimination will have to rush into the EEOC to avoid forfeiting their claims. They will not be able to take the time to evaluate their claims, negotiate with their employers and look for voluntary solutions to the pay disparity. That’s not a system any employer should welcome. (For more information on the Ledbetter case and bill, click here.) 

Lilly Ledbetter was not looking for a lawsuit. Had she been paid fairly, equal to what the men doing the same work at Goodyear were being paid, we would never have heard of her, and I’m sure that would have been just fine with her. But she wasn’t paid fairly, solely because she was a woman, and her employer successfully hid that fact for much of the time she worked at the plant. In fact, she never would have found out about it had a coworker not left her an anonymous note close to the end of her career. Lilly had a right to try to correct that injustice.

Breaking News: The Next Step for the Fair Pay Act

by Jocelyn Samuels, Vice President for Education and Employment
National Women’s Law Center

Tonight, I stood with Lilly Ledbetter in the U.S. Capitol as the Senators voted on a motion to advance the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act, a key bill that would have a major impact on the lives of women who've been subject to pay discrimination.

While significantly more than a majority of Senators voted to proceed on the bill, we didn’t get the 60 votes necessary to move to the next big step — scheduling a debate and vote on the bill itself. This was a travesty of justice, and a hard vote to witness.

But the fight isn’t over. Tonight’s vote was a cruel blow to American women and families. But we have already generated great support and this issue isn’t going to go away. We're calling on the Senate leadership to continue to bring up this bill until it passes.

The Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act deserves fair consideration on the Senate floor. Now, we need you to help us turn up the heat on the Senate to get the job done.

Please check to see how your Senators voted. Then, give them a call at (202) 224-3121. Then, give them a call at (202) 224-3121. It's important for your Senators to know that you are paying attention to these key votes.

If your Senator voted YES:

Call (202) 224-3121. The Capitol operator will connect you to your Senators' offices. Please tell the person who answers the phone in your Senators' offices the following:

1. I am a constituent. My name is ________.
2. I would like to thank the Senator for voting in support of moving forward on the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act.
3. I hope that the Senator will support the bill without amendments.

If your Senator voted NO:

Call (202) 224-3121. The Capitol operator will connect you to your Senators' offices. Please tell the person who answers the phone in your Senators' offices the following:

1. I am a constituent. My name is ________.
2. I am disappointed that the Senator voted against moving the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act forward.
3. I urge the Senator to reconsider his/her vote.

Post and Times Call for Senate to Pass Fair Pay Act

by Robin Reed, Online Outreach Manager
National Women’s Law Center

In editorials today, the Washington Post and New York Times both came out in support of the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act.

From the Washington Post:

"Fair Pay, Fair Play

"For nearly a year, employees have been living under a legal scheme that makes it exceedingly difficult for them to seek redress for pay discrimination. The Senate today has the opportunity to consider legislation that would remedy the situation..."

From the New York Times:

"Pass the Fair Pay Act

"Last year, the Supreme Court tossed aside longstanding legal precedents and government practice to make it much harder for an employee to sue over unlawful pay discrimination..."

The Senate is scheduled to vote on the bill today!

Please call your Senators toll-free at (866) 338-1015 and ask them to vote "YES!"

The Implications of Graduation

by Jessica Lauredan, Outreach Intern
National Women’s Law Center

In a few short weeks, I will be taking a proud walk across the stage to receive my hard- earned college diploma. Despite the regret that my exam-taking, paper-writing, dorm-living days are over, the most disheartening fact about entering the “real world” is that the young men who graduate along side me could earn significantly more than I do, just because of their sex.

Although it has been outlawed for over 40 years, the average full-time working woman still earns 77 cents for every dollar a man earns. As a recent grad, the 80 percent of a man’s salary that I can expect to earn will shrink to a disconcerting 69 percent in just 10 years. In other words, the gap only widens from here.   

Now I’m no math major, but all graduates put a 100 percent investment into their college education; yet female students get only get a fraction of the return? Hmm... that just doesn’t seem to add up.

This income gap means a lifetime of lost earnings and unrealized possibilities for millions of women like me — a smaller house, missed vacations, a could-have-been new car, or maybe a non-existent retirement fund. In a country that values self-sufficiency and hard work, where are the rewards for women who demonstrate just that? It’s time America realizes what the wage gap means for all the hard-working women who continue to get short-changed.

Everyone's Talking About Fair Pay for Women, Part II

by Robin Reed, Online Outreach Manager
National Women’s Law Center

Thanks so much to all the bloggers who have raised their voices for equal pay for women as part of today's Blog for Fair Pay Day!

Below is a list, in alphabetical order, of the posts that we've come across. If your post isn't listed here, please fill out this form and we'll add you to the list. Remember, there's still time to post!

And, most importantly, please remember to contact your Senators and urge them to vote YES on the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act!

A preliminary list of those Blogging for Fair Pay:

• 43 Things - Happy Phantom
• A Mommy's Mind
• AAUW CA Online Branch Forum
• AAUW Dialog
  
• Activistas
  
• Adventures of Bourgie & Ken
• and then I found five dollars
  
• Angry Black Bitch
  
• Ariel's Grove
  
• Astraea's Scales

Continued behind the jump...

Paying Fair for Child Care

by Karen Schulman, Senior Policy Analyst 
National Women’s Law Center

On Fair Pay Day, we take note of the fact that many women work in jobs comparable to men and are paid much less than their male colleagues. It’s also important to draw attention to the fact that many women are in jobs dominated by women and are paid extremely low wages. One such job is child care, where 97 percent of the workforce is female.

Child care providers play an essential role in children’s lives. High-quality child care promotes children’s well-being and prepares them academically, emotionally, and socially for school so they can achieve their full potential. Yet, child care is among the lowest paid professions. In 2006, child care workers earned an average of just $9.05 an hour, or $18,820 annually. In comparison, baggage porters earned an average of $21,580 annually and pet sitters earned an average of $20,230 annually. Child care workers are also often denied other important and necessary benefits, such as health care and sick leave. Because of the low wages and limited benefits associated with child care work, many women in the industry are forced to take on second jobs.

Child care providers need to see a dramatic increase in wages if they are to support themselves and their families. Some states have taken steps in the right direction by boosting wages for child care providers who receive additional education, making health care benefits available to child care providers, and allowing home-based child care providers to unionize. Although some small steps have been made, much more can be done.

(For more information on child care workers, see http://www.nwlc.org/pdf/ProvidersApril2008.pdf)

Planning to Retire Ever? Support Fair Pay for Women!

by Kristina Gupta, Policy Fellow
National Women’s Law Center

The pay gap between men and women can have serious repercussions for women as they age. In 2006, women working full-time, year-round earned on average about 77 percent of what full-time, year-round male workers earned.

The consequences for women of lower lifetime earnings can be severe in later life. In part because of lower earnings, women save less in private pension plans like IRAs and 401(k)s. In 2006, women age 65 and older on average received less than half of what men in the same age group received, on average, in pension income ($3,033 vs. $7,474). In addition, women accumulate fewer assets before retirement. Women also receive less in Social Security, on average, because Social Security income is based on lifetime earnings. Finally, the wage gap continues into later life – women who work past retirement age earn significantly less than men who work past retirement age.

Everyone's Talking About Fair Pay for Women

by Robin Reed, Online Outreach Manager
National Women’s Law Center

Here are just a few of the posts that have gone up so far today as part of Blog for Fair Pay Day:

• Viva la Feminista
• Feministing
• Shakesville
• Activistas
  
• Little Miss Brightside
• Bad Mom, Good Mom
• Pink Wave Feminism
• and then I found five dollars
• Yum Yum Café
• ravings of a semi-sane madwoman
• Yikes!
• En Gender
• Writes Like She Talks
• Female Impersonator

And check out this great vlog by Feministing's Ann on the importance of pay negotiation:

Unequal Pay = Unequal Access to Health Care

by Jen Swedish, Health Law Fellow
National Women’s Law Center

Earning only 77 cents for every dollar that men earn means that quality health care is unaffordable for many women. Because women use more health care services on average than men yet earn lower incomes, their out-of-pocket costs are higher. As a result, women are more likely to avoid needed health care because of cost, opting not to see a doctor or specialist, fill a prescription, or get a medical test or treatment when needed. And, when women do obtain the health care they need, they are more likely than men to have problems paying for their care.

As my colleagues regularly share in their weekly series of posts, health care reform is an especially important issue for women, and proposals for reform can make great strides in helping women obtain and afford health insurance. On today, Equal Pay Day, though, I wonder: would women need health care reform as badly if only they were paid the same as men?

Today is Blog for Fair Pay Day!

by Robin Reed, Online Outreach Manager
National Women’s Law Center

Women deserve to be paid the same as men. Obviously. Everyone in this country has known that for at least half a century, right?

But women are still getting paid just 77 cents for every dollar earned by men — so it looks like employers still have a lot of catching up to do. This week marks Equal Pay Week, the point in 2008 when the average woman's wages finally catch up with what the average man earned in 2007.

Across the blogosphere today, people will be talking about the importance of equal pay for women. We’ll post a compilation of those links later on. Several of my co-workers here at NWLC will also be blogging today about the impact of pay discrimination on women’s lives, so check back here throughout the day to learn more about this issue.

If you’re looking for more information on pay equity, check out NWLC’s Fair Pay site. Our friends at the American Association of University Women have also compiled some resources on pay equity.

And remember, if  you haven’t already, please contact your Senators and urge them to vote in favor of the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act! (Or, if you live in D.C. like me and don’t have Senators, please e-mail your friends and family in other states and urge them to contact their Senators!)