H.R. 7 - Paycheck Fairness Act is expected to come up for a vote in the US House of Representatives THIS WEEK. We want you to know what it is, why it matters, and how you can help!
You know that women working full time in the United States are typically paid just 80 percent of what men are paid, and the gap is even wider in Wyoming (69¢), and wider still for many indigenous women and women of color. But Congressional action can help change this. The Paycheck Fairness Act would take meaningful steps to update and strengthen the Equal Pay Act of 1963 to help close the gender pay gap, including:
closing loopholes that have weakened the law over time to allow employers to justify paying workers unfairly,
creating more robust remedies for those who have suffered discrimination,
preventing employers from retaliating against workers who discuss or disclose their wages,
prohibiting employers from relying on salary history to set wages, and
providing much needed training and technical assistance, as well as data collection and research.
Legislation that would attend to each and every one of these items was introduced during the 65th Legislature, here in Wyoming. We strongly believe that government - local, state, and federal - is the third leg of the stool and that they play a necessary and vital role in addressing the gender pay gap. Women need to take action, businesses and private industry need to take action, and government needs to join them in this action. Without all three, the change will be limited - if it happens at all.
Bottom line: The gender pay gap is persistent and can only be addressed if women have the tools they need to challenge discrimination and employers have the incentives they need to comply with the law. This is why we need Congress to pass H.R. 7 - Paycheck Fairness Act.
AAUW has comprehensive information about women's economic security on their website. They also have a great Two-Minute-Activist link that you can use to help you craft your call or email on this and other issues that impact women. We invite you to learn more. And take action.
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