Moore, Gomes Advocate Women’s Wage Equality

From State Senators Marilyn Moore and Ed Gomes:

Senator Marilyn Moore (D-Bridgeport) and Senator Ed Gomes (D-Brideport) joined members of the Everybody Benefits Coalition (EBC) and local union workers to kick off a campaign to pass a series of bills known as the Women’s Economic Agenda.

“Over the years, women have made great strides in the workforce, but the fact remains that wage inequality still persists, said Senator Gomes. “This why we need to continue to support and advocate for legislation that strengthens our families.”

“Women’s equity essential to the survival of our families in the State of Connecticut,” said Senator Moore. “Connecticut has been known to be a state that promotes family friendly workplaces, and it is important to take the necessary steps to ensure that women can survive and thrive. It is our responsibility as a state to ensure that women are not forced to make a choice between their paycheck and caring for their families.”

Fast food chain employees and union workers gave first-hand accounts of how the legislation which includes Paid Sick Day Expansion, Paid Family Medical Leave, Just Scheduling, Corporate Accountability, and the Tip Credit Reduction would positively affect their lives.

The five bills aim to ensure that workers, and especially women, can survive in a difficult and changing economy. According to the U.S. census Bureau, the gender pay gap between men and women remains practically unchanged with women making 78 percent of what men earn.

“Last year in the beginning of December I requested the 26th off from work so that I could spend time with my family in New York for the holiday,” said Jasmine White, a fast food worker. “A few weeks later I look at the schedule and see that I am scheduled to work on the 26th. When I brought the matter up with my manager, they told me too bad. I let them know that the earliest I could get to work that day was 5:30pm because I would be riding back home with someone else. When I arrived at work on the 26th at 5:30pm, I was written up and subsequently fired.”

Women currently make up two-thirds of the minimum wage workplace, and over seventy percent of servers. In addition, women are far more likely to have the primary responsibility of having to care for children and provide substantial assistance to elderly parents.

The Everybody Benefits Coalition was originally created to push for paid sick days. In 2011, the coalition successfully passed the first-in-the-nation statewide paid sick days program. Now, it aims to expand that program and make even more progress on family-friendly workplace policies.