2012-04

Resolution on Pay Equity for Women and People of Color

REPRESENTATIVE PHYLLIS GUTIERREZ KENNEY (WA) INTRODUCED AUG. 2012 MEETING (RATIFIED)

WHEREAS nearly forty nine years after passage of the Equal Pay Act of 1963 and Title VII of the Civil Rights Act, women and people of color continue to face inequities in pay and salary;

WHEREAS according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics from 2011, year round full-time women in 2010 earned 82 percent of the earnings of year-round, full time working men, indicating little change or progress in pay equity; and

WHEREAS the inequities for Latinas are much worse, earning 62 percent compared to men overall, and 76 percent compared to women overall; and

WHEREAS Latino men face similar inequities, whereby they earn 69 percent compared to men overall.

WHEREAS the inequalities of pay for Hispanic men and women are the worst among minority groups; and

WHEREAS nationally about one-third of employed mothers are the sole breadwinners for their families; and

WHEREAS as women get older, the pay gap widens significantly; according to the American Association of University Women, one year after graduating college women earn only 80 percent of what their male counterparts earn, and ten years after graduation women earn only 69 percent of what men earn; and

WHEREAS over a lifetime, wage disparities cost the average Latina more than $325,000 in lost wages, also impacting Social Security benefits and pensions; and

WHEREAS fair pay equity policies can be implemented simply and without undue costs or hardship in both the public and private sectors; and

WHEREAS there exists a strong business and public interest for pay equity of women and people of color; and

WHEREAS fair pay strengthens the security of families today and eases future retirement costs, while enhancing the American economy;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that NHCSL will advocate for solutions to address the inequalities in pay faced by women and people of color, be it through legislation or administrative policies that accomplish this goal; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that NHCSL will collaborate with governmental agencies, other nonprofit organizations and individuals to promote meaningful fair and equal pay policies; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that NHCSL will communicate with federal government officials in a policy-making capacity to urge such relief; and

BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED a copy of this Resolution will be transmitted to the leadership of the Committees of jurisdiction in Congress, the Department of Labor, White House, and organizations that advocate similar views.

THIS RESOLUTION WAS ADOPTED ON AUGUST 25, 2012, AT THE NHCSL EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEETING HELD IN ATLANTA, GEORGIA AND RATIFIED AT THE NHCSL 2012 ANNUAL MEETING HELD IN ALBUQUERQUE, NEW MEXICO ON NOVEMBER 17, 2012.

Sponsored by: Representative Phyllis Gutierrez Kenney (WA)