Posted on May 25, 2012 |
Yesterday's afternoon press conference at the Senate called for bi-partisan support of the Paycheck Fairness Act (PFA), a bill designed to close loopholes that perpetuate wage discrimination. While any worker regardless of gender would benefit from this bill, PFA would be a significant step toward equal pay for women. As lead sponsor Senator Mikulski (D-MD) explained at the press conference, PFA is the next step after the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act to closing the wage gap for women. While Ledbetter is an essential remedy to help people who find out that they are being discriminated against seek justice, PFA, Mikulski stated, "Closes loopholes that allow pay discrimination in the first place."
PFA would improve remedies for pay discrimination, prohibit employer retaliation, and facilitate class action suits in equal pay claims.
Pretty simple logic, it'd be tough to learn about wage discrimination if discussing wages can be grounds for termination.
The PFA is making its second recent appearance in Congress, after the Senate failed to move it forward last year but two votes.
Fatima Goss Graves, NWLC Vice President for Education and Employment, spoke at the conference in support of PFA and explained how PFA remedies current loopholes and constraints in equal pay law. Read more »