Calling the unanimous passage of an equal pay bill by the NYS Assembly critical to achieving women’s economic equality, PowHer New York called upon the governor to quickly sign the bill into law at a press conference in Albany. These new protections target pay discrimination, which results in a wage gap that deprives New York women and their families of much-needed financial resources and long-term security. S.1 (Savino)/A. 6075 (Titus), proposed by Governor Cuomo, will be a powerful tool by guaranteeing workers the right to share salary information without penalty. It also clarifies and closes loopholes in current law, and discourages employers from unfair pay practices by increasing damages.
PowHer New York has led an Equal Pay Campaign, fighting for equal pay and other reforms that will accelerate women’s economic equality. Working with the dedicated leadership of NYS Assembly members since 2007, and network partners including A Better Balance, AAUW, and the Women’s Equality Coalition, equal pay legislation has moved from an idea to a reality for New York workers. Sponsors Senator Diane Savino and Assembly Michele Titus were instrumental in advancing this bill proposed by Governor Cuomo.
At the press conference, Beverly Neufeld, founder of PowHer New York Equal Pay Campaign said “Passage of the New York Equal Pay bill in the Assembly is a landmark step toward ending the wage discrimination caused by pay secrecy and worker’s fear of retaliation. This successful culmination of legislative leadership and years of advocacy spotlights bi-partisan agreement that what is good for women is good for New York State.“ Neufeld added, “Although the Man Men era is ending on TV, to shut down the policies of the 20th Century that limit the capacity for women’s success takes vigilance and action. That is our work ahead.” (See Partner Quotes Below)
Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie said, “The pay equity gap is a result of a systematic devaluing of women and minorities in the work place. We need to ensure equal pay for equal work. By paving the way for full economic equality, we will help to put more money into the pockets of some of our most vulnerable residents and put them on a course toward greater economic independence.”
“Women in New York earn 86 percent of what men earn and jobs traditionally held by women pay significantly less than jobs predominantly held by men. Women are put at an economic disadvantage because of their gender, not their job performance and it has to end,” said bill sponsor Assembly member Michele Titus. “The Assembly has supported women’s right to fair pay over the years and this brings us one step closer to achieving it.”
THE FACTS:
The statewide gender wage gap of 86% is smaller than the national average of 78%. Even so, the average full-time female worker in New York state is deprived of $7,300 annually. That loss is equal to more than one year of groceries, seven months of rent, three years of family health insurance, or 2,000 gallons of gasoline.
The New York wage gap is much greater for African American women and Latinas who earn 64% and 54%, respectively, of what white males earn annually. The wage gap also ranges widely across the state; in some regions, like Western New York and parts of New York City, women earn closer to 78% of men’s wages. Collectively, this loss of income and diminished spending adds up to more than $21,000,000,000 for New York State’s economy.
Working families are especially harmed by the gender wage gap. Women head more than 1,000,000 households in New York, and more than 63% of working mothers in New York are primary breadwinners or co-breadwinners. Paying women their fair share will boost the growth of the middle class and reduce the unacceptable rate of 29% percent of women-headed households who live below the poverty level.
PARTNER QUOTES:
Dina Bakst, Co-Founder & Co-President of A Better Balance: “Every year, discrimination in pay punishes millions of women across New York State. At a time when women’s wages are critical to family economic security, this is appalling. A Better Balance applauds the New York State Assembly for championing equal pay for women and passing these important pieces of legislation.”
Suzy Ballantyne, co-chair of the Women’s Equality Coalition: “As the co-chair of the Women’s Equality Coalition representing over 850 organizations and businesses, we want to commend the Assembly for addressing equal pay. The Assembly has long taken the lead in advocating for laws to ensure equal pay for all New Yorkers. We commend Speaker Heastie for taking a thoughtful approach to all these issues as well as all the members of the Majority and especially the women’s delegation. This law finally closes a loophole as big as tractor-trailer. This will make real progress so that New York will once again lead the nation in helping to achieve equal pay for women.”
Donna Seymour, Potsdam, VP AAUW-NYS for Public Policy: “The simple truth is that the economic contributions of women are often undervalued and underpaid. Women face a pay gap in nearly every occupation and the sting of gender pay discrimination is real – at the grocery store, at the gas station, and in retirement. This action by the Assembly finally begins to level the playing field here for the over one million New York State women who are the sole breadwinners for their families.”
Ana Oliveira, President New York Women’s Foundation: “Ensuring equal pay for equal work is a critical step in providing economic security for women and families across New York State, as women now head more than 1,000,000 households and more than 63% of working mothers are primary breadwinners or co-breadwinners.”
Francesca Burack, President Enterprising and Professional Women-NYC: “Women are the main purchasers of goods and services in our economy. Paying women the right salary is morally correct, adds to the economy, and smart for businesses. The Assembly showed courage in bringing A6075/S1 to the right vote! Now, it’s time for the Govenor to sign the bill and get it implemented.”
Lisa Hofflich, President of the Westchester Chapter of the National Organization for Women: “Why do we still even have a gender wage gap? The answer lies in this underlying, unmentionable, yet pervasive discrimination and stereotyping of women in the workforce that’s just too costly to ignore. Paying employees based on performance and not gender isn’t just good for business, it’s good for New York.”
Martha Kamber, YWCA of Brooklyn: “It is very troubling that in 2015 we still don’t have pay equity. As inequality continues to grow, more women and children than ever before are living in poverty. With all the resources in this country, it’s shameful that women still only earn 77c for every dollar a man earns and that drops to 66c for African American women and 55c for Latinas.12 million children in the US are being raised by single mothers, 45% of whom are living below the poverty line. This is completely unacceptable and this is why we will continue to fight for equal pay for all women!”
ABOUT: PowHer New York is an inclusive statewide network committed to securing economic equality for all New York women. Members include individuals and organizations coming together to accelerate economic fairness and generating POWHER to create a new reality for 10 million New York women and their families. We focus on Poverty Solutions; Opportunity and Access; Workplace Fairness; Healthy Family Life; Equal Pay and Representation at all Tables. For more information, please visit www.powherny.org.
GRAPHIC:This dollar bill vividly documents the average wage gap for women: Latinas (54%), African Americans (64%) and Caucasians (86%).
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