Support Equal Pay

Fair Pay Legislation could be among the first things that Barack Obama signs into law -- with your help! Right now, while the economic security package is tied up in negotiations, there is a rare window of unscheduled open time to pass long overdue legislation. Congress is thinking action--and they?re thinking Fair Pay! Two bills would advance fair pay for women by closing loopholes in the Equal Pay Act of 1963 and by prevent retaliation against workers who disclose the amount of their wages. In addition to redressing the age-old problem of sex-based pay discrimination, the impact of this legislation could help millions of working women and their families during our current economic downturn.

Sample Letter for Campaign

Subject: Support Equal Pay

Dear [ Decision Maker ] ,

I am writing today to request that you take immediate action to pass the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act and the Paycheck Fairness Act. I urge you to strongly support passage of both bills and vote against any weakening amendments, or motions to recommit.

These key bills would ensure that employees are armed with the tools to fight back against pay discrimination. Ensuring that women receive equal pay for equal work is a critical component of any effort to stimulate the economy and to ensure self-sufficiency for them and their families.

Women continue to earn only 78 cents on the dollar to their male counterparts. While we have come a long way since the Equal Pay Act was signed into law in 1964, pay discrimination is still prevalent, and the Supreme Court has recently taken a backwards approach to handling these claims. Pay equity legislation is necessary to allow individuals to better fight pay discrimination, strengthen penalties for violation, compel employers to explain wage gaps, and develop training for women and girls about salary negotiation.

The Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act is the only bill that will reverse the effects of the Supreme Court decision in Ledbetter v. Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co., which severely limits workers' ability to vindicate their rights and distorts Congress' intent to eliminate sex and other forms of discrimination in the workplace.

The Paycheck Fairness Act would deter wage discrimination by closing loopholes in the law and barring retaliation against workers who disclose their wages. The bill strengthens the Equal Pay Act to ensure that it provides effective protection against sex-based pay discrimination. Toward that end, it also allows women to receive the same remedies for pay discrimination that are currently available to those subject to discrimination based on race and national origin.

Together, these bills arm women with the tools they need to fight pay discrimination. In this economic climate, they are more critical now than ever.

Thank you for your attention to this matter. I look forward to your response.

Sincerely,

Campaign Launched:
January 09, 2009


Background Information

Background:

The Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act and the Paycheck Fairness Act both passed the House in the last Congress. But the Republicans filibustered the Lilly Ledbetter bill and prevented a vote in the Senate; that bill would reverse a Supreme Court decision that severely limits women workers' ability to sue for wage discrimination. The Paycheck Fairness Act was also adopted by the House last Congress, but never made it to a Senate floor vote.

Among the bill's many important provisions that would advance fair pay for women are ones that close loopholes in the Equal Pay Act of 1963 and prevent retaliation against workers who disclose the amount of their wages. In addition to redressing the age-old problem of sex-based pay discrimination, the impact of this legislation could help millions of working women and their families during our current economic downturn.