For Immediate Release
Wednesday, June 10, 1998
Statement by AFSCME President Gerald W. McEntee on the Anniversary of the Equal Pay Act
The American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) proudly celebrates the 35th anniversary of the Equal Pay Act -- prohibiting wage discrimination between men and women when they perform essentially the same work for the same employer.
In celebrating the 35th anniversary of the Equal Pay Act, we also acknowledge that our work is far from complete. Thirty-five years after the passage of the Equal Pay Act, women are only paid 74 cents for every dollar men earn.
Female custodians on Capitol Hill know all too well the blatant inequity between men and women’s pay, they earn significantly less than their male co-workers for performing essentially the same work. The highest paid female custodial worker earns $10.08 per hour, while the highest paid male laborer earns $11.10 per hour.
In July 1997, 49 of these courageous female custodial workers took a public stand against one of the most powerful employers in America -- the U.S. Congress. AFSCME Council 26 filed a class action lawsuit under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act and the Equal Pay Act, on their behalf, in order to end pay discrimination within the office of the Architect of the Capitol.
Their fight represents a step in the right direction toward obtaining equal pay for working women and addressing their concerns about paid sick leave, health coverage and pension plans. It is important to remember that equal pay is much more than a women’s issue -- it’s a family issue.
