Statement by Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis on US Senate's failure to pass Paycheck Fairness Act

/PRNewswire/ -- Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis today issued the following statement after the Senate's failure to invoke cloture (by a margin of 58 to 41) on S. 3772 – the Paycheck Fairness Act:

"I am deeply disappointed that the Senate did not pass this important piece of legislation today. But, the issue of pay equity is far too important to give up. I remain committed to the fight for this commonsense reform, and my department will redouble its efforts to ensure America's women are not treated as second class citizens by employers who refuse to compensate them in a fair and equitable manner.

"While the Senate fell short of the mark today, it is important to note that the Paycheck Fairness Act was approved by the House of Representatives almost two years ago. The bill was specifically designed to address the persistent gap between men's and women's wages. It tackles that challenge by enhancing enforcement and by closing loopholes in the 47-year old Equal Pay Act.

"Since the passage of the Equal Pay Act in 1963, the issue of women's pay has grown even more serious. Today, women are the sole or co-wage earner in two-thirds of American households. And, for a growing number of families, equal pay for women is not just a matter of principle. It is a matter of survival.

"Most people are surprised to learn that, despite decades of efforts since 1963, the wage gap has narrowed from 59 cents for each dollar a man makes to a still unbelievably paltry 77 cents in 2010. It is equally shocking that the gap has closed only 5 cents in the past 20 years. At that pace, it will take almost 100 more years for women to achieve pay equity. The situation is even worse for women of color. In fact, today, African-American women make 69 cents for every dollar made by a man. Latinas make just 60 cents.

"Granted, when women enter the labor market, the wage gap is usually small, and some groups of women have earnings on par with men. But, the gap grows substantially as men and women progress in their careers. Men get larger raises and promotions. And, even when women keep pace with promotions, they still fall behind in pay. That has major long-term economic implications. And, by the age of 65, the typical full-time working woman has about $365,000 less in earnings relative to a full-time working man. This gap in earnings follows women into retirement, resulting in smaller pensions and lower Social Security.

"As President Obama has said, 'Equal pay is by no means just a women's issue — it's a family issue.…And in this economy, when so many folks are already working harder for less and struggling to get by, the last thing they can afford is losing part of each month's paychecks to simple discrimination.'

"As a nation, we must continue to pursue pay equity with passion and determination. We owe it to women in America —those of years past, who worked so hard to build our country; those who carry that task on today; and, certainly, those who will shape our future in the workplace of tomorrow."

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Coalition for a Democratic Workplace Calls on Senator Warner to Clarify Position on Anti-Worker Card Check Bill

/PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Coalition for a Democratic Workplace (CDW) today called on Senator Warner to remove any uncertainty surrounding his position on the Employee Free Choice Act. The Employee Free Choice Act -- or "card check" bill will effectively eliminate secret ballots for workers in union organizing elections and bind employers to contracts that inhibit their ability to create much-needed new jobs.

"Senator Warner can't have it both ways by voting for cloture and voting against final passage. For workers, a vote for cloture is a vote to take away their right to a secret ballot," said Brian Worth with the Coalition for a Democratic Workplace.

Cloture is an important procedural vote in the Senate that ends debate on a particular piece of legislation and allows it to proceed to a vote for final passage. Sixty votes are required for cloture, whereas a simple majority is needed for final legislative passage. As a result, if the Employee Free Choice Act receives 60 cloture votes, it will pass the Senate. A vote for cloture is a vote for the bill.

Recent press reports and statements have raised questions about whether Senator Warner will vote for or against this anti-worker legislation:

"Virginia's new Sen. [Mark] Warner, continues to maintain radio silence about his party's No. 1 priority: the card check bill. Perhaps that's an indication he harbors doubts about the measure. But it would be even better if Warner would publicly announce his opposition."

- Where's Warner? Richmond Times-Dispatch editorial, January 7, 2009

"Besides the high stakes nationally -- and the rise of labor's political clout -- the card-check issue has created a unique conundrum for Virginia's freshman senator, Mark R. Warner. Unlike Sen. Jim Webb, a fellow Virginia Democrat who co-sponsored the bill, Warner refused to take a clear position on EFCA during his fall campaign. ...In a prepared statement for Virginia Business, Warner says, "I believe there is a need for reform in this area, and this legislation should be debated and voted upon by the Senate."

"Privacy and the secret ballot elections are at stake for millions of American workers and they deserve a clear, straightforward answer from Senator Warner about his position on the Employee Free Choice Act," said Worth.

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