Chairwoman Slaughter Joins American Association of University Women, Local Community To Discuss Pay Equity

Rochester, NY - Congresswoman Louise M. Slaughter (D-NY-28), the first woman to Chair the powerful House Rules Committee, today joined local members of the American Association of University Women and the regional community to discuss the pay disparity between American women and men performing the same work. Chairwoman Slaughter also discussed the historic legislative action this Democratic-led Congress is taking to close the wage gap.

Forty five years ago President Kennedy signed the Equal Pay Act to address the unconscionable practice of paying women less than men for the same job.  At that time, women earned 59 cents for each dollar earned by a man.  While the wage gap has narrowed, today's working women across America still early only 77 cents for every dollar earned by men. 

"The wage gap is one of the most pressing issues facing women workers, their families, and the economy," said Rep. Slaughter.  "Unfair pay affects American women in all lines of work regardless of education, race, or age."  

Chairwoman Slaughter has been fighting for pay equity for over thirty years and is a strong supporter of H.R. 1338, the Paycheck Fairness Act, critical legislation that builds on the progress of the Equal Pay Act and helps to end the persistent gap in the earnings of men and women.  This historic legislation was passed in the House of Representatives on July 31^st by a vote of 247-178 and is now under consideration in the Senate.

The Fairport Area Branch of the American Association of University Women is part of a national organization that works to advance equity for women and girls through advocacy, education, and research.  Chairwoman Slaughter encouraged all of the participants of today's discussion to continue in the fight for true equity between the sexes.

"It is our responsibility to the working women in our lives and to the generations of hardworking women who came before us to fight for equal pay for equal work," Slaughter concluded.

BACKGROUND

The Paycheck Fairness Act (H.R. 1338) takes affirmative steps to eliminate gender-based wage discrimination and ensure that women earn what men earn for doing the same job. The legislation adheres to the current work standards under the Equal Pay Act but would reform the procedures for enforcing the law. 

Specifically, the bill strengthens the Equal Pay Act by providing more effective remedies to women who are not being paid equal wages for doing equal work.  The bill also prohibits employers from retaliating against employees who share salary information with their co-workers. 

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