In
recognition of National Pay Equity Day, Assemblywoman Addie J. Russell
(D-Theresa) announced that the Assembly passed a resolution declaring April 8,
2014 Pay Equity Day in the state of New York and renewed her call for the state
Senate to take up the Women’s Equality Act.
Pay Equity Day recognizes gender
based wage disparity by marking how far into the new year women must work to earn
what men did in the previous one. Women, who make up nearly half of our nation's
workforce, earn 23 percent less on average than men for equal work.[1]
“When working mothers are not paid
equally, it means less money going to our grocery stores, child care businesses
and local shops,” Assemblywoman Russell said. “Pay equity is not only a civil
rights issue, it is an economic issue that affects our entire community.
For
families struggling with utility bills and gas prices, that gap can mean the
difference between getting ahead and falling behind.”
In January, the Assembly passed the
Women’s Equality Act (A.8070). The 10-point agenda, sponsored by Assemblywoman
Russell, includes comprehensive reforms that would address pay inequity, end
gender based discrimination, increase protections for victims of domestic
violence and reinforce women’s health and reproductive rights.
The
Women’s Equality Act contains 10 points to accomplish the following:
- Achieve pay equity
- Prevent sexual harassment in
the workplace
- Strengthen human trafficking
laws
- Protect domestic violence
victims
- Protect reproductive rights
- End housing discrimination
for victims of domestic violence
- End family status
discrimination
- Prevent pregnancy
discrimination
- Remove barriers to remedying
discrimination
- Stop source-of-income
discrimination
The
Act now awaits Senate passage so it can be sent to Governor Cuomo for his
signature.
“Our laws regarding women's rights
are in desperate need of an upgrade,” Assemblywoman Russell said. “My daughter
and women across New York deserve action on every single one of their rights –
not just some of them. How long will the Senate make them wait?”
In addition to fighting to pass the
Women’s Equality Act, Assemblywoman Russell has championed numerous issues
affecting women and families, including critical legislation to make high
quality childcare more affordable. Russell, who was a member of the Assembly
Child Care Work Group, noted that affordable childcare is critical to enabling
working mothers to prosper in their careers and have the financial security
necessary to meet the demands of being a parent.
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