For Immediate Release
Thursday, July 24, 1997
Long-Time Advocate for Fair Pay for Women, AFSCME Supports House Paycheck Fairness Act
Long-Time Advocate for Fair Pay for Women, AFSCME Supports House Paycheck Fairness Act
Washington, DC —In reaction to today’s introduction of the House Paycheck Fairness Act, Gerald W. McEntee, International President of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME), AFL-CIO, issued the following statement:
"AFSCME wholeheartedly supports the House Paycheck Fairness Act. With the introduction of this bill, we take another step toward the elimination of the wage gap between men and women.
"Pay equity is an issue that is at the top of AFSCME's agenda. For two decades, AFSCME has been at the forefront of the fight to eliminate pay discrimination in jobs that have traditionally been performed by women. Through collective bargaining, legislation, and litigation, AFSCME has made it possible for thousands of AFSCME members to receive hundreds of millions of dollars in pay equity adjustments.
"Statistics show that women who belong to unions are less likely to suffer wage discrimination. In 1996, women in unions earned weekly wages that were almost 36% higher than those of women who were not union members.
"Women and minority workers have long fueled our nation's progress. Their achievements must be recognized in order to leave a legacy of equality and justice for their children. This bill and others like it will help achieve that goal.
"We commend House Minority Leader Richard Gephardt and the other supporters in Congress for focusing attention on the continuing injustice of pay inequity. We join the many pay equity advocates in working toward the bill's final passage."
AFSCME also supports the Fair Pay Act, another piece of important legislation which would help remedy pay inequities in the workplace.
