For Immediate Release
Wednesday, May 10, 2000
Statement by AFSCME President Gerald W. McEntee on Equal Pay Day
"Working women account for more than 53 percent of AFSCME's 1.3 million members. Some are doctors, nurses, attorneys, day care workers, clerical workers and custodians. Although equal pay has been the law since 1963, these women are still paid less than men -- even with similar education, skills and experience.
"In 1999, women were paid 74 cents for every dollar men received. At the end of the workday working families were the ones who paid the price for -- unequal pay. America's working families lose a staggering $200 billion of income annually, $4,000 per family -- annually to the wage gap.
"Female custodians on Capitol Hill are victims of unequal pay in the very institution where the Equal Pay Act was passed 37 years ago -- the U.S. Congress. They earn significantly less than their male co-workers for performing essentially the same work.
"In July 1997, 49 courageous female custodial workers took a very public stand against 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, to end pay discrimination within the office of the Architect of the Capitol.
"It's important to remember that equal pay is much more than a woman's issue -- it's a family issue. Unequal pay robs women and their families of economic security, doubles the poverty rates for today's workers, and threatens retirement income. In order to ensure that women receive equal pay there must be enforcement of current equal pay laws, passage of stronger and better laws and greater protections for a worker's right to organize."
