The California Labor Federation supports the struggle of women for equality on and off the job, in our unions and in our communities. Despite centuries of struggle, women still face discrimination, lower pay, and lost opportunities. Jobs that are predominately held by women are generally underpaid when compared to jobs of comparable skill, effort and responsibility traditionally held by men. Women earn 76.5 cents on the dollar of men's wages. The Federation urges all affiliates to work for pay equity to raise the pay of traditionally underpaid women's and minority occupations and end all unjust wage disparities.
Women are more likely to be contingent workers.
This translates into unequal access to benefits and pensions. Joining a union offers women the greatest opportunity for financial advancement. Pay for women in unions is higher than for their nonunion counterparts. Eighty percent of newly organized union members are women. We urge all affiliates to vigorously support affirmative action plans that offer women workers access to higher paying occupations where they are currently underrepresented.