Fair Pay - Not in the USA!

The Fair Pay Restoration Act (S. 1843), or Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act, has been on the minds of all fair pay activists today as the U.S. Senate voted to proceed on the bill. The outcome of today’s vote represents a loss for women and families. Jocelyn Samuels, vice president for education and employment at the National Women’s Law Center, recognizes the loss and gives advice for continuing the fight to climb out of the wage gap on the NWLC blog.

Local readers maybe interested to know that Kentucky Senators Bunning and McConnell voted against moving the Fair Pay Act forward. Our state has been identified as one of the worst states for women and girls. Kentucky is consistently at the bottom of the pack for median annual earnings for women, number of women-owned businesses, and women living above poverty. Their votes were no surprise to me after I received a letter from Senator McConnell that listed a cadre of reasons for blocking the bill. It’s time to ask Senators McConnell and Bunning to support local legislation that mandates a 23% discount on all goods and services consumed by women. Fair enough?

Indiana Senator Bayh was initially noncommittal in his response to a constituent saying, “While I am not a member of the Senate HELP Committee, please rest assured, if these bills come before the full Senate, I will be sure to keep your thoughts in mind.” Women did get his YES vote on advancing the legislation.

Review the votes for your state. Is there a trend along party lines? Congratulations to Minnesota Senator Coleman and Senator Collins of Maine for stepping out of the box and voting YES on advancing the legislation.

Here's how the 2008 presidential candidates voted:

• McCain, Not Voting - What was that, u didn't vote! Y not? Interesting, very interesting.
  
• Clinton, YES
• Obama, YES

Life in the Wage Gap

Thought I’d take the advice of Freda Mooncotch the founder and CEO of Alpha Women Media, Inc., and tell you why I care about pay equity. So hear it goes.

When I put my foot into the work force, it put it right into the wage gap. Whoops! I nearly broke my ankle when my stiletto got caught. When I was handed my diploma, I didn’t remember anyone telling me to look out for the crack in the aisle way. My mother told me to get more sensible shoes.

I’d noticed that my colleagues were shoe shopping as well. I’ve had many conversations about fair pay and have seen women accept jobs that they can't afford to take. A few years ago a woman manager in my company told me, "We decided to hire her because his salary range was really high - and with comparable skills, we can afford her." Recently, I was asked by a recruiter why I took a full time on the job after getting married because, "You know that's not what most women do."

Yet, I'm often told the problem is that women are not aggressive in salary negotiations, and that’s why they are paid less. Women can and DO learn negotiation skills, they ask for more money - yet are still paid less. Self improvement is only one way for us to close the gap on pay. If we accept that we only have ourselves to blame, then employers and policy makers are encouraged to stay the course. The wage gap is real. It’s not about a educating a single women on negotiation skills, or about women complaining about their wages.

Fair pay is about supporting families, it’s about ensuring that children of single mothers and female-headed households have bright futures. According to the National Organization for Women, “If women received the same wages as men who work the same number of hours, have the same education and union status, are the same age, and live in the same region of the country, then these women's annual income would rise by $4,000 and poverty rates would be cut in half. Working families would gain an astounding $200 billion in family income annually.” (more data at NOW website)

That's powerful. Imagine less poverty, less crime, better schools, and economic stability – all accomplished by paying a fair wage. That's why I care. Besides, I am tired of replacing those shoes!

Equal Pay Day 2008

Welcome to my blog! I am so glad you joined me, and not a moment to soon. The talk of the town (or at least my house) is the President's quick fix that might get you up to $1200. But wait, before you run out to pay your student loans and health care premiums, or buy milk and put gas in your tank, take a second and step out for Equal Pay Day on April 22, 2008.

Legislation that supports fair pay for women is about stimulating the economy. The number of women-headed households grows every year - it doesn't make cents to pay women less! Got a problem with that? Well, if it's OK to pay women less, than its OK for women to pay less. Yes, that's a 23% discount on goods and services we purchase. Next time you fill up your gas tank be sure to let the clerk know that you're entitled to the Wage Gap Discount (coupon attached). It doesn't expire until 2057, so go ahead and buy that car!

And, I am not just asking you to do it, I am going to ask all of my retailers on Equal Pay Week to honor that discount. Stay tuned to hear what happens. If you're in Louisville on April 22, join me for Unhappy Hour at Browning's Brewery at 401 E. Main Street to uncelebrate Equal Pay Day!