Paycheck Fairness Act 2012

Headline “Republicans voted no to equal pay for women: Act goes to Senate June 5^th.” And that's a recent May, 2012 headline. And if you don’t believe me, follow the link to the actual article: www.allvoices.com/contributed-news/12275353-the-paycheck-fairness-act-up-for-vote-next-tuesdaytell-your-senator-its-time-women-receive-equal-pay

This isn’t a new topic, or a new bill. Remember, a Paycheck Fairness Act was previously pitched in 2010. It failed 58– 41.

Let’s talk about Gov. Romney for a moment. Teamsters General President Jim Hoffa called on GOP presidential nominee Mitt Romney and the Republican Party to prove they haven't declared war on women and workers by supporting the Paycheck Fairness Act. Romney has refused to take a stand, or respond. Even the Washington Times has been unable to get a response to the five messages they’ve left him. He’s rather silent on the issue, which I feel says it all.

 

 

Gender bias in action? Yes? No? Who knows? All I know is that I agree in paycheck fairness no matter your sex, race, religion, etc. Data suggests that women make .77 on every dollar that men do. Claycord Congressman George Miller stated that women in California earn 84 cents for every dollar a man earns. That means California women have been paid $8,151 less than men by the end of that year. Same experience, skill, education,title, etc. And yet the pay differs.

Since I’m blogging from the great State of Texas, let’s look at Texas statistics.

• In 2010, the typical woman in Texas working full time, year round, was paid only 80 cents to every dollar paid to a man working full time, year round. That's 3 cents narrower than the nationwide wage gap of 77 cents.
• The wage gap persists at all levels of education. In 2010, women in Texas with a high school diploma were paid only 67 cents to every dollar paid to men with a high school diploma. Comparing women and men in Texas with a bachelor's degree, the figure was 69 cents. In fact, the typical Texas woman who has received an associate's degree or completes some college still isn't paid as much as the typical Texas man who only graduated from high school.
• The wage gap exists across occupations. For example, Texas women working full time, year round in 2010 in management, business, and financial occupations were paid only 71 cents to every dollar paid to men in the same occupations, and Texas women working full time, year round in sales and related occupations were paid only 57 cents to every dollar paid to men in the same occupations.

The above statistics provided by National Women’s Law Center. The Importance of Fair Pay for Texas Women. April 2012. www.nwlc.org

The Equal Pay Act was passed in 1963, almost 50 year sago. And yet, unfair pay practices still exist. The new Act will hold employers accountable for pay discrepancies between male and female employees while strengthening incentives to prevent pay discrimination. The employer will have to provide a valid explanation as to why a male employee, with the same qualifications/experience, is making more than his female counterpart. The employer must be able to show that wage differences are job-related, not sex-based, and are driven by business necessity.

Everywhere on the Internet, people are chiming in on this sensitive issue. Petitions are being circulated for signature. www.momsrising.org/member_stories/topic/pay-discrimination-stories/?action_id=10534741&akid=.2017705.N-Qc-v&form_name=act&rd=1

Let’s wait and see how this all unfolds. I’ll have an update for you after June 5^th.