LANSING – Standing alongside groups fighting to end wage discrimination, House Democrats today introduced legislation to create new legal avenues and provide tougher penalties for employers that engage in this practice. Lawmakers were joined by advocates of pay equity in recognition of Equal Pay Day.
"When companies shortchange women, their families also pay the price," said Speaker Pro Tempore Pam Byrnes (D-Lyndon Township), a sponsor of the plan. "There is less money to put toward mortgage payments, less money to buy food to put on the table and less money to pay for a child's college education. We have to stand up for Michigan workers and demand nothing short of equal pay for equal work."
According to the American Association of University Women (AAUW), Michigan is ranked 44th in the nation for wage parity between men and women. Women working in Michigan are paid 71 cents for every $1 men make – a 29-percent pay gap. This puts Michigan far behind the national gender pay gap of 78 cents per dollar.
"We must address the pay gap," said State Representative Joan Bauer (D-Lansing), lead sponsor of the plan. "The average American woman working full-time could lose hundreds of thousands of dollars over her lifetime. This is unacceptable and hurts so many of our families who are being unfairly derailed in their pursuit of the American Dream. We can no longer let Michigan linger at the back of the pack. Eight other states have passed pay equity legislation and it is time for Michigan to take action."
Last year, the Senate blocked a similar House plan that would have established new penalties for wage discrimination
and created new legal avenues to pursue those who discriminate and deprive employees of their right to wage fairness.
Under the plan introduced today, failing to provide equal compensation for work of comparable value will be a violation
of the state's Elliot-Larsen Civil Rights Act. Under the plan, gender-based pay discrimination would be a misdemeanor,
with employers facing fines up to $2,000 or up to 90 days in jail for not complying. Employers guilty of a third
violation would face fines up to $15,000.
"We must make it clear that Michigan values fairness and equality," said State Representative Sarah Roberts (D-St. Clair Shores). "We should not be treating men and women
differently in the workplace. This discrimination hurts working men, women and their families because many need two
incomes to get by. Under this plan, employers will face stiff penalties for not complying."
The fight for equal pay landed in national headlines in January when President Obama signed the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act, ensuring women and other victims of pay discrimination can challenge their employers' practices. Lilly Ledbetter was a supervisor at Goodyear Tire and Rubber's plant in Gadsden, Alabama, from 1979 until her retirement in 1998. By the end of 1997, Ledbetter was being paid $550 less per month than the lowest paid male area manager, despite almost 20 years of service.
"Women who've worked hard and play by the rules deserve fair and equal treatment," said State Representative Dian Slavens (D-Canton). "I'm looking forward to bringing people together in Michigan to tackle this issue. Together, we can put a stop to the unfair practice of wage discrimination."
House members intend to begin committee hearings on the legislation in the next couple of weeks.
"We'll be taking up this important issue in committee quickly," said State Representative Steve Lindberg (D-Marquette), Chair of the House Labor Committee. "No one should be a victim of wage discrimination in the workplace. With the toll that wage disparity takes on middle class families, it is too costly to ignore this issue."
Groups gathering alongside the lawmakers included: the AAUW, Business and Professional Women, WomenWork!, National Organization for Women, Pay Equity Network, League of Women Voters, Michigan Women's Commission and others.