Imperial Valley News

Washington, DC - As the country marks Equal Pay Day on April 28, Congressman Bob Filner calls on all Americans to work together to achieve equal pay for equal work.

“Forty-six years have passed since President John F. Kennedy signed the Equal Pay Act into law in 1963,” pointed out Congressman Filner.  “And yet, in many cases, there is still not equal pay for equal work in this country.”

In 1963, when the Equal Pay Act was signed, women who worked full-time, year-round made 59 cents on average for every dollar earned by men.  In 2007, women earned 78 cents for every dollar earned by men.  That is progress - but it is slow progress.  It means that the wage gap has narrowed by less than half a cent per year.

“Equal pay is not just a women’s issue, it’s a family issue,” said Congressman Filner.  “The wage gap hurts everyone - husbands, wives, children, and parents - because it lowers family incomes that pay for essentials:  groceries, doctors’ visits, child care.  When women earn more, an entire family benefits.  That is why closing the wage gap must be an integral part of strengthening America’s families.”

“Achieving equal pay for women is one of the top priorities of the 111th Congress,” stated Congressman Filner.  “I am very pleased that, in January, Congress sent to the President’s desk the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act - and it became the first major bill signed into law by President Obama, a week after he was inaugurated.  The importance of achieving equity for women was highlighted by the fact that this was the first order of business for the new Congress.”

The Lilly Ledbetter Act restores the right of women and other workers to challenge unfair pay in court.  Specifically, it rectifies the May 2007 Ledbetter v Goodyear Supreme Court decision that overturned precedent and made it much more difficult for workers to pursue pay discrimination claims.  The bill simply restores the longstanding interpretation of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act and other discrimination statutes, thereby protecting women and other workers.

“The enactment of the Lilly Ledbetter Act was a major victory for America’s women,” stated Filner.  “However, it is now critical that the Senate pass and send to the President’s desk the Paycheck Fairness Act, which the House passed on January 9.  The Lilly Ledbetter Act restores the right to seek legal redress; however the Paycheck Fairness Act is equally important - it provides the tools necessary to give new teeth to the Equal Pay Act and provide incentives for businesses to follow the law in the first place.”

The Paycheck Fairness Act is a comprehensive update to the 46-year-old Equal Pay Act that brings equal pay laws in line with other civil rights laws.  This bill would take real steps to deter wage discrimination by empowering women to negotiate for equal pay, creating stronger incentives for employers to follow the law, and strengthening federal enforcement efforts.

“On this Equal Pay Day 2009, let us all vow that, in order to strengthen the American family and ensure fairness in the workplace, we will work together until we have achieved an America where women are truly paid equal pay for equal work,” Congressman Filner concluded.