For Immediate Release
Friday, February 20, 1998
Hundreds Attend NOW Rally Honoring Female Capitol Hill Custodians Who Fought For Pay Equity
WASHINGTON —It’s never easy to take a public stand against pay inequity, but when you work for one of the most powerful employers in America -- the U.S. Congress - - special courage is needed. Today in recognition of that courage the National Organization for Women (NOW) sponsored a rally at the Rayburn House Office Building honoring a group of female Capitol Hill custodians who filed a class action lawsuit against the Architect of the Capitol for pay discrimination.
Council 26 of the American Federation of State County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) filed the class action lawsuit in July, 1997, under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act and a claim under the Equal Pay Act, on behalf of 49 female custodians employed by the Architect of the Capitol, (AOC).
The suit charges the female custodians were paid significantly less than male laborers for performing essentially the same work. The highest paid custodial worker earned $10.08 per hour, while the highest paid laborer earned $11.10 per hour. Of the 300 custodial workers who clean the House and Senate Office Buildings only six are men.
"This inequity exists right under the noses of some of the most powerful people in the country and after Congress passed the Congressional Accountability Act. Pay discrimination like this remains a problem for women all across the country. We encourage all women to speak up and speak out for equal pay for equal work," said NOW President Patricia Ireland.
"We perform the same job task under the same conditions as the laborers and therefore we are entitled to the same pay. It’s time for the Architect of the Capitol to do the right thing and correct this injustice," said Hazel Dews, President, AFSCME Local 626.
The suit asks that the Architect of the Capitol reclassify the position of custodian to the same wage level as that of laborer and that custodian be provided front pay equal to the compensation of laborers up to the date when reclassification occurs. In addition to appropriate back pay and benefits, consisting of the difference between the compensation of custodians and laborers, with interest.
