MomsRising.org: Where moms and people who love them go to change the world

Think action... think Fair Pay!!

While the economic security package is tied up in negotiations, there is a rare window of unscheduled open time to pass long-needed bills. Congress is thinking action…and they’re thinking fair pay! The House could vote on Fair Pay as early as Wednesday, and the Senate as early as next week!

Tell Congress to not to miss this open window to pass Fair Pay! Just fill in your information and hit submit below to send a letter to your Representative and Senators today!

February 09, 2010

Subject:

Dear Congressperson,

I'm a member of MomsRising.org, and I live in your district and state. I am writing today to request that you take immediate action to pass the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act and the Paycheck Fairness Act. I urge you to strongly support passage of both bills and vote against any weakening amendments, or motions to recommit.

These key bills would ensure that employees are armed with the tools to fight back against pay discrimination. Ensuring that women receive equal pay for equal work is a critical component of any effort to stimulate the economy and to ensure self-sufficiency for them and their families.

Women continue to earn only 78 cents on the dollar to their male counterparts. While we have come a long way since the Equal Pay Act was signed into law in 1964, pay discrimination is still prevalent, and the Supreme Court has recently taken a backwards approach to handling these claims.  Pay equity legislation is necessary to allow individuals to better fight pay discrimination, strengthen penalties for violation, compel employers to explain wage gaps, and develop training for women and girls about salary negotiation.

The Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act is the only bill that will reverse the effects of the Supreme Court decision in Ledbetter v. Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co., which severely limits workers' ability to vindicate their rights and distorts Congress' intent to eliminate sex and other forms of discrimination in the workplace.

The Paycheck Fairness Act would deter wage discrimination by closing loopholes in the law and barring retaliation against workers who disclose their wages.  The bill strengthens the Equal Pay Act to ensure that it provides effective protection against sex-based pay discrimination.  Toward that end, it also allows women to receive the same remedies for pay discrimination that are currently available to those subject to discrimination based on race and national origin.

Together, these bills arm women with the tools they need to fight pay discrimination.  In this economic climate, they are more critical now than ever.

Thank you for your attention to this matter. I look forward to your response.

Sincerely,

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