Show your solidarity - equal pay for women

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Why? Fifty years ago, Congress passed, and President Kennedy signed, the Equal Pay Act of 1963. Despite this landmark law and tremendous advances for women since then, women and families across the country still suffer from a punishing gender-based wage gap that results in thousands of dollars in lost income each year.  

The Paycheck Fairness Act would be a much needed update to the Equal Pay Act of 1963, which turns 50 this year. President Kennedy’s signing of the Equal Pay Act half a century ago signified our nation's commitment to ensuring that women are paid as much as their male coworkers for doing the same work. Upon signing the bill, President Kennedy proclaimed that the bill “affirms our determination
that when women enter the labor force they will find equality in their pay envelope.”

Unfortunately, over time, loopholes and weak remedies have made that law less effective in combating wage discrimination than Congress originally intended. As we commemorate the 50th anniversary of this historic law, the Paycheck Fairness Act would finally enable us to fully realize President Kennedy’s vision of equal pay for equal work.

But what's the difference between the Equal Pay Act of 1963 and the Paycheck Fairness Act of 2013?  And what about the Lily Ledbetter Act?  Didn't that take care of any disparities?

EQUAL PAY ACT

Acceptable reasons to paying women less than men: Seniority, merit, productivity — but managers can give vague reasons, like personality, to hide gender discrimination.

Damages a plaintiff suing under the law is allowed: Retroactive pay for only the two previous years. No punitive damages, so no real deterrent for employers.

Disclosing your salary with fellow workers: Not protected. Currently, about 50 percent of private companies will fire you for doing so.

PAYCHECK FAIRNESS ACT

Acceptable reasons to paying women less than men: Seniority, merit, productivity — or a legitimate business reason, like having fewer credentials than a male colleague.

Damages a plaintiff suing under the law is allowed: Compensatory pay for two previous years (can include medical expenses or retirement benefits). Punitive damages allowed.

Disclosing your salary with fellow workers: Allows you to share salary and ask about pay policies, thus creating transparency.

THE LILY LEDBETTER ACT

Every Democrat in the House of Representatives has co-sponsored the Paycheck Fairness Act (HR 377).  The Republicans, on the other hand, have maneuvered to block the bill in both chambers.  We'd do well to let any Republican members, of either chamber, know that we are watching and will remember if they don't support this important legislation.