At a White House ceremony today, U.S. Representative Jim McGovern joined President Clinton, First Lady Hillary Rodham Clinton, Vice President Gore and Democratic Members of Congress in celebrating the 35th anniversary of the Equal Pay Act. At that time women earned 58 cents for each dollar earned by a man. Unfortunately, the numbers have not improved enough. New numbers from the Department of Labor released today indicate that women still earn only 75 cents for every dollar men earn. In Massachusetts, women earn 80 cents for every dollar men earn.
Statistics show that over the last five years, the wage gap has been at a virtual status quo.
According to current projections, it would take until the year 2038 before men and women reach parity in pay in the United States. Unfair pay affects women of every race, religion, education, age or occupation. It's harmful to workers, harmful to businesses and harmful to the economy. Imagine being able to cash only 4 of every 5 paychecks you earn.