April 14, 2015, NY City Hall – Elected officials, labor leaders and advocates rallied on the steps of City Hall for the 9th Annual NYC Equal Pay Day, wearing red to highlight that “women are still in the red.” Speakers called for legislation to close the wage gap and immediate action on the New York Equal Pay bill A.6075/S.1, sponsored by Assembly member Titus, and on NYC Council bill 704/705 introduced by Council Member Crowley.
The New York City rally, like events in 49 states, is part of a sweeping national campaign for equal pay reform. Westchester, Long Island, Buffalo, and towns across New York held activities with a unified call for stronger laws to support women’s lives in 2015, starting with A6075/S1. The NY Equal Pay bill will be a powerful tool to close the wage gap by guarantying workers the right to share salary information without penalty, clarifying and closing loopholes in current law, and discouraging employers from unfair pay practices by increasing damages. In NYC, Int. 704/705 will require city contractors to report not only the diversity of their workforce, but their leadership as well. This data collection, while not part of the formal bidding process, will create transparency about the governance of companies that receive public funds.
The rally, attended by area Assembly members and leaders, was co-sponsored by PowHer NY Equal Pay Campaign and NYC Council Members Elizabeth Crowley and Darlene Mealy (Women’s Caucus Co-Chairs), Laurie A. Cumbo (Women’s Issues Committee Chair and Assembly member Michele Titus.
Remarks by Public Advocate Tish James, former Congresswoman Liz Holtzman, and Arthur Cheliotes of Local 1180 were cheered by supporters and the gathered elected officials, including Assembly members Nily Rozic, JoAnne Simon, Rebecca Seabright, Maritza Davila, Aravella Simotas, and Council members Vanessa Gibson, Helen Rosenthal and Robert Cornegy. Participating organizations included: NYCLU, Catalyst, CWA Local 1180, A Better Balance, YWCA Brooklyn, AAUW-NYS, Women’s City Club on NY, NY Paid Leave Coalition, Planned Parenthood of NYC, NARAL, NOW, League of Professional Theatre , EPW-NYC, 2020 Women on Boards, Equal Rights Advocates , AAUW NY, League of Women Voters -NYC , Zonta Club of NY.
“Passage of the NY Equal Pay bill will be a landmark step toward ending wage discrimination, but not enough. All levels of government and business must take swift action to close the wage and opportunity gap to make our state equitable for women. Ensuring women get a fair shot at non-traditional higher paying jobs, municipal contractors meet parity standards, NY employees receive equal pay, and workplace policies, like paid leave, that support women and families must be part of the agenda ahead, said Beverly Neufeld, Founder, PowHer NY Equal Pay Campaign .
“Equal pay for equal work is not a radical concept; it is one of the most basic protections every working person deserves. It is unbelievable that in 2015 women are still fighting for this basic protection. I look forward to working with Speaker Mark-Viverito, my fellow Women’s Caucus members to help make New York a more equitable place,” said NYC Council Member Elizabeth Crowley, Co-Chair Women’s Caucus.
National Equal Pay Day is the symbolic day in 2015 in the U.S. when women’s earnings catch up to men’s earnings in 2014, due to a pay gap of 23%. Currently, women in New York earn 86 percent of what white men earn, and that disparity is even more severe for African-American and Latina women, who earn 66 percent and 54 percent of that earned by men in New York State. This wage gap profoundly affects New York families. If closed, the average working woman and her family would have enough money for more than a year’s worth of food; 8 additional months of rent; 3 extra years of family health insurance premiums; or more than 2,000 gallons of gas. Because 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-breadwinner, addressing the wage gap is imperative.
“That women still must work more than 4 additional months to receive the same pay as their male counterparts is simply unacceptable,” said Council Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito.“On Equal Pay Day, we highlight the injustice that women continue to face every day and I stand with leaders across New York in calling for swift action to give women the equal footing they’ve deserved for so long.”
“Pay disparity is not a woman’s issue, but a human rights issue. In 2015, women deserve to earn the same pay for equal work. It is unfair for households across the United States, particularly those led by women, to do more with less. We have an obligation to ensure that all citizens have the capacity to support themselves and their families,” said Council Member Laurie A. Cumbo.
“Today we mark the date in 2015 that the average woman must work to make the 2014 salary of her male counterpart. The struggle for economic equality for all women continues with the fight for fair wages, as well as the fight for roles in business leadership. We all know that women are fantastic leaders and amazing workers. It is high time our salaries caught up! Economic parity for women is crucial to the survival of our families and the success of our communities. Women are more likely to work in low wage positions, and also more likely to head families while working these positions. I’m proud to stand with my colleagues as well as advocates in the PowHer NY Equal Pay Campaign to continue to fight for higher wages and economic equality for all women.” said Council Member Darlene Mealy, Co-Chair Women’s Caucus
“Right now in New York, the wage disparity between men and women is shameful, with full-time working women collectively losing more than $22 billion each year,” said NYCLU Executive Director Donna Lieberman. “New York women work hard to support themselves and their families. Enough is enough – it’s time for New York lawmakers to support women and pass the workplace protections they need and deserve.”
“It’s time to make good on the promise of equality and to build inclusive workplaces where women and men are given equal chances to succeed and earn equal pay for equal work,” says Deborah Gillis, President & CEO, Catalyst. “Together we have the power to change course, and legislation will help us do just that.”
NYC Comptroller Scott Stringer: “As my office has found, the average woman working full-time in New York City today still earns only 82 percent of the average man, with an even greater gap for working mothers. It’s appalling that, even in a first-class city like New York, women are still treated as second-class citizens in too many professions. I thank PowHer NY Equal Pay Campaign for its commitment to raising public awareness of this continued injustice and working toward a solution here in the Empire State.”
Dina Bakst, Co-Founder & Co-President of A Better Balance: “Unfair pay is an issue that affects millions of women across New York State. This pernicious discrimination greatly affects our families, who increasingly depend on women’s wages. New York women should not have to rely on outdated laws that contain too many loopholes that let employers get away with discrimination. This Equal Pay Day, we look forward to working with our legislators to make real change to close the wage gap in our State once and for all.”
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!”
Joan Malin, President and CEO, Planned Parenthood of New York City: “More women than ever before are now in the workforce. As one of New York City’s leading sexual and reproductive health care providers, we care for women everyday who are working full-time yet are still struggling to make ends meet. The pay gap in New York is slightly better than the national average with women making 86 cents on the dollar, but any pay gap undermines the well-being of women, their families, and their communities. For women of color in New York and nationwide, the pay gap is much wider. This is unacceptable. We’re joining gender equity champions in the New York City Council in supporting legislation that would ensure that all New Yorkers receive equal pay for equal work.”
Donna Dolan, New York Paid Leave Coalition: “Paid family leave is just one policy that promotes economic security and stability for workers and their families. Women who must drop out of the workforce to take care of a new child or sick family member lose immediate and life-time earnings, which is one reason paid family leave is critical, but New Yorkers also need access to equal pay. It’s been over 50 years since President John F. Kennedy signed the Equal Pay Act – and yet, women still don’t get equal pay for equal work. Ensuring that women earn equal pay is essential to improving the economic security of American families and the growth of our middle class and our economy. Women comprise nearly half of the American workforce – yet, on average, they still earn less than similarly qualified men for doing the same job. And the pay gap for women of color is even greater. Together these policies will make New York’s communities, businesses, and economy stronger.”
Donna Seymour, VP of Policy, AAUW NYS: “The sting of gender pay discrimination is real – at the grocery store, at the gas station, and in retirement,” said Seymour. “We know that women are far more likely to spend their golden years in poverty and that it starts the moment we throw our graduation caps in the air. Women’s wages should be determined by the work we do rather than influenced by outdated and discriminatory gender stereotypes. It’s time for our paychecks and state and national policy to catch up to the 21st century.”
Maxine Kern, Co-President, League of Professional Theatre Women: “In 2009, The League of Professional Women, along with several other professional organizations, declared their mission to achieve 50/50 pay equity by 20/20. It’s now 2015 and LPTW is supporting pay equity legislation by participating in an Equal Pay Day Rally this Wednesday, April 14 at NYC’s City Hall. The LPTW is ready to celebrate the realization of Equal Pay.”
Christiane Neumeyer, Chair, 2020 Women on Boards – NYC Campaign: “2020 Women on Boards applauds and supports Council Member Crowley’s bill for the collection of gender diversity data at the board and executive level of city contractors. Companies that receive monies collected from a gender-balanced taxpayer base need be to be held accountable for their diversity practices. Transparency, as required by the bill, is the first step.”
POWHER NEW YORK is a statewide network of organizations and individuals working together to accelerate economic equality for New York’s women. Through our collaborative actions, we will attain P-O-W-H-E-R: Poverty Solutions – Opportunity and Access – Workplace Fairness – Healthier Lives – Equal Pay – Representation at all Tables. PowHer NY and the Equal Pay Coalition NYC (EPCNYC) teamed up to create a stronger voice for pay equity by forming the PowHer NY Equal Pay Campaign. This strategic alliance continues EPCNYC’s eight year fight to attain stronger laws and policies to end wage discrimination. Contact: equalpay@powherny.org Info: www.PowHerNY.org Action: @PowHerNY
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