November 17, 2010

Vote Today on Wage Equality for Women

Today the Senate will vote at 11 AM ET on the Paycheck Fairness Act, a bill that strengthens elements of the Equal Pay Act and acts as a companion piece to the Lilly Ledbetter Act. While the Equal Pay Act addresses fair pay issues, loopholes remain that allow businesses to come up with reasons for pay disparities between their male and female employees. The Paycheck Fairness Act would strengthen penalties for discrimination and give women the tools they need to identify and confront unfair treatment.

According to Amie Newman, Managing Editor at RHRealityCheck.org, many American workers “have not been expressly permitted to discuss wages at work without fear of potential repercussions from employers. The Paycheck Fairness Act remedies this by stating that employees may be allowed to discuss each other's wages, without recrimination.” The Paycheck Fairness Act would prohibit employer retaliation against employees for sharing salary information with their co-workers --- so now men and women can better understand wage disparities and determine whether they're experiencing wage discrimination or not.

In advance of today’s vote, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid -- an original co-sponsor of this legislation -- sent a message to his Republican colleagues, saying:

Will my GOP colleagues do the right thing & vote today in support of wage equality for women? Vote's @ 11am ET. Stay tuned. #fairpay

We’re hopeful that Senate Republicans -- many of whom voted in support of the Lilly Ledbetter bill -- will heed Reid’s advice and vote to support fair pay today.

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