Equal Pay Day is an opportunity to take stock of our success in ending the persistent wage gap for women, especially women of color. The bad news is that the wage gap continues to rob workers of much needed income which could be used to pay for groceries, rent, tuition, health care and to make New York more affordable. The good news is right now NY elected representatives can take action to end wage disparities.
Urge your representatives to act during the NYS budget negotiations and through legislation called the Benefits Transparency Act NYS A5906/S5990 so fair pay and economic security can be realized for New York workers.
Use the form below to send your letter!
LETTER TO Assembly members, Senators and Governor Hochul:
Equal Pay Day is an opportunity to take stock of our success in ending the persistent gender and racial wage gaps. The bad news is that the wage gap continues to rob workers of much needed income which could be used to pay for groceries, rent, health care and to make New York more affordable. The good news is, right now you, as my elected representative, can take action through legislation and the budget negotiations to end wage disparities.
The wage gap means smaller pay checks month after month, year after year. New York Black women lose approximately $24,640 annually. That could pay for 15 months of rent or two years of groceries. Latinas lose $32,750 annually which adds up over $1,300,000 of lost wages over a 40 year career. Any lost wages affect women’s retirement security and wealth building leaving them with less in savings, lower Social Security benefits, and a higher risk of outliving their resources. This is wage theft and it hampers the economic security of families and creates an unnecessary strain on public safety nets, which workers turn to when they cannot make ends meet on their hard-earned wages.
As an elected leader, you can address major causes of this disparity: wage secrecy and undervaluing the work of women, especially those jobs that care for New Yorkers across the life span. You can:
- Support the Childcare Workforce Compensation Fund and The Home Care Savings and Reinvestment Act in the NYS Budget.
- Support an increase in the benefit amount of TDI (Temporary Disability Insurance) which was capped in 1989 at $170 a week. New Yorkers should have the ability to take time off from work to address their own health needs without risking their economic security and taking the chance of losing their jobs.
- Sponsor and support the Benefits Transparency Act NYS A5906/S5990 which would expand the recent salary range law to include broader forms of compensation such as bonuses, as well as core benefits, including health benefits, sick time, and paid family leave. It would also stop overly broad salary ranges and apply to current employees. With comprehensive compensation information up front, women workers are in a better position to advocate for themselves during the hiring process and identify better compensated jobs and industries to counter occupational segregation.
As so many New Yorkers struggle to make ends meet, knowing that basic needs could be covered by the wage gap makes the quest for pay equity imperative and timely.
Thank you for being an ally in this work and standing up for wage equity.