Deborah J. Vagins, Director of Equal Pay Today and National Campaigns Director for Equal Rights Advocates, spoke with WILX 10 about Equal Pay Day and the need for female representation and wage equity in all occupations.
Ms. Magazine: Charting the Future of Equal Pay
National Campaigns Director and Director of Equal Pay Today Deborah Vagins is featured in a Ms. Magazine article ahead of Equal Pay Day:
“We want [the EEOC] to move forward as quickly as possible,” Vagins told Ms. “Who knows what the political landscape will look like in the future?”
… While the [Equal Pay Today] campaign is concentrating on bringing about a change in agency rules, Vagins says individuals can take action as well: “It never hurts to talk to your member of Congress about the importance of enforcement agencies, because it is Congress who helps fund that important work.”
Black Enterprise: Demanding Equality – Women’s Equal Pay Day Addresses Pay Inequality for Women
Deborah J. Vagins (Director of Equal Pay Today) are mentioned in a Black Enterprise article about Equal Pay Day:
This has led to a push for more comprehensive federal action, such as the Salary Transparency Act and the Paycheck Fairness Act, two bills that have been introduced in the U.S. House and Senate on multiple occasions. Deborah Vagins, the national campaign director of Equal Rights Advocates and the director of Equal Pay Today, told CNN that these federal actions are critical to getting women actual pay equity sooner rather than later.
According to Equal Pay Today, the Paycheck Fairness Act, in particular, contains significant protections for those impacted by the gender pay gap. That act in particular would “bar retaliation against workers who voluntarily discuss or disclose their wages; close loopholes that have allowed employers to pay women less than men for the same work … [and] ensure women can receive the same robust remedies for sex-based pay discrimination that are currently available to those subjected to discrimination based on race and ethnicity.”
Statement of Deborah J. Vagins, Director of Equal Pay Today with Equal Rights Advocates on the Anniversary of the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act and New White House Pay Equity Policy Announcement:
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 29, 2024
MEDIA CONTACT
Today, the White House announced its final rule prohibiting Federal agencies from considering a candidate’s salary history as a factor in setting pay for new Federal civilian employees. Equal Pay Today, a project of Equal Rights Advocates organized and submitted comments in support of this rule and has been long advocating for such transparency in wages.
This announcement comes on the 15th anniversary of the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act and is a fitting next step in the fight for equal pay.
Lilly Ledbetter served as a manager at the Goodyear Tire and Rubber Co. plant in Gadsden, Alabama, for over nineteen years. After she was slipped an anonymous note, she learned that she had been paid significantly less than her three male colleagues over the course of her career. Ms. Ledbetter filed a complaint with the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunities Commission.
In 2007, Ms. Ledbetter's lawsuit ended with the Supreme Court's ruling in Ledbetter v. Goodyear, which overturned her original jury award of over 3 million dollars. Ignoring the egregious facts in the case, five justices said employees had to file a complaint within six months of an employer’s first decision to discriminate, whether the employee knows about the discrimination or not.
In dissent, Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg wrote that the ruling made no sense in the real world. Such an absurd decision needed a Congressional response. With the support of advocates nationwide and champions in Congress, the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Ac – the first law signed by President Obama – as enacted. This law restored the law and make clear that workers can challenge every discriminatory paycheck.
The law was such an important victory for workers and gave employees who were experiencing ongoing pay discrimination their day in court. However, the law did not give women new tools to combat the wage gap itself.
As announced in Equal Pay Today’s 2023-2024 Policy Agenda, we continue to fight for the state and federal fair pay legislation, like the federal Paycheck Fairness Act, which would provide new tools for workers to get at the causes and impact of pay discrimination. Equal Pay Today has also urged the Administration to take actions that can apply to federal workers and federal contractors, which would provide progress on pay equity for millions of these employees. Today, the Biden Administration announced its final a rule banning the use of salary history when setting wages for federal employees. This is an important step forward because for women and workers of color, if their prior wages have been tainted by discrimination, new salaries can carry forward discrimination in setting new wages based on old pay. We also are continuing to urge the Administration to move forward on a similar rule banning the use of salary history for federal contractors. This would be critical as many private employers also have federal contracts and millions of employees would be protected.
“On behalf of Equal Pay Today, I am thrilled that the Biden Administration has finalized this rule, which will prevent Federal agencies from considering a candidate’s salary history as a factor in setting pay for new Federal civilian employees. We were please to advocate our membership in support of this rule. While we continue to fight for the day this is the case for all employees nationwide, but we are grateful to the Administration for advancing commonsense protections that can blunt the impact of having prior discrimination infect the pay for its workforce. This is such a fitting announcement to make on the 15th anniversary of the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act. We commend the Administration for continuing to fulfill the legacy of Ms. Ledbetter in her persistent fight for fair pay for all,” said Deborah J. Vagins, Director of Equal Pay Today, Equal Rights Advocates.
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About Equal Pay Today:
The mission of Equal Pay Today, a project at Equal Rights Advocates, is to eradicate the long-standing gender wage gap impacting the economic security of women, families, and communities of color. Through strategies involving policy reform, litigation, education and outreach, EPT’s innovative collaboration of national, regional, and state-based women's legal advocacy, worker justice groups, and social justice organizations are changing conversations about equal pay at every opportunity.
On 15th Anniversary of the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act, Ledbetter, Government Officials, Advocates Discuss Actions to Close Gender Wage Gaps
For Immediate Release
Jan 26, 2024
Media Contact
Jess Eagle
717-574-2702
jeagle@equalrights.org
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Lilly Ledbetter, government officials, and a coalition of advocates for women’s and workers’ rights are commemorating the 15th anniversary of the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act on Jan. 29, 2024. The occasion serves as both a celebration of progress and an acknowledgment of the work that remains to address persistent gender pay discrimination.
The first bill President Obama signed into law after taking office, the groundbreaking Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act of 2009 corrected the Supreme Court decision in Ledbetter v. Goodyear, which held that employees had to bring pay discrimination cases soon after the employer began to discriminate, whether the employee knew about the discrimination or not. The decision overturned decades of established law that allowed employees to challenge discriminatory paychecks.
Ms. Ledbetter, who served as a manager at the Goodyear Tire and Rubber Co. plant in Alabama for 19 years, sued for pay discrimination after learning that, over the course of her career, she had been paid significantly less than her male colleagues. While she lost at the Supreme Court, her case and the law that later corrected the Supreme Court decision sparked her ongoing commitment to addressing the gender wage gap.
While restoring the prior law was a major victory for the equal pay movement, the Ledbetter Fair Pay Act did not give women new tools to challenge pay discrimination. Since then, a coalition of 45 organizations across the country known as Equal Pay Today has led campaigns to enact federal and state policies that would help women challenge pay discrimination and close the wage gaps that impact them and their families. Among them is the Paycheck Fairness Act, a bill that modernizes and updates the Equal Pay Act of 1963, including by protecting workers from retaliation for discussing their pay, banning the use of an applicant’s prior salary history to set their new pay, and codifying pay data collection.
While Ledbetter and advocates continue to work on federal legislative solutions, they also are urging the Biden Administration to take action, including to finalize a ban on using prior salary history to set wages for federal workers and federal contractors. The proposal would end the practice of using an applicant’s prior pay to set new pay for federal employees and federal contracting applicants — a practice that enables pay discrimination to follow women and people of color from job to job.
Ms. Ledbetter discussed these issues with government officials and advocates in a webinar on Jan. 25. The recording is available here. Press are invited to quote speakers, crediting Equal Pay Today as the webinar host.
The following are quotes from Ms. Ledbetter, the Chair and Vice Chair of the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. Rep. Rosa DeLauro, and leading fair pay advocates on the anniversary of the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act:
Lilly Ledbetter, Fair Pay Champion:
“I am excited to celebrate the 15th anniversary of the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act with Equal Pay Today, my champions on the Hill and with the Administration, and so many old friends that worked to support me and this law. But I will not rest until we can enact more policies that give women stronger tools to challenge pay disparities and other forms of employment discrimination. That is why it is so important that Congress pass the Paycheck Fairness Act. Until Congress acts, we hope that the agencies and Biden Administration will start collecting employer pay data again and stop the use of salary history when setting wages for federal workers and federal contractors. If there had been fairness in setting my wages or more transparency in salaries when I worked at Goodyear Tire, I would have been able to take home what I truly earned. We should want that for all workers. Until then, the fight continues.”
Charlotte A. Burrows, Chair of the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission:
“On this 15th anniversary of the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act, we join Lilly and other trailblazers in celebrating how far we’ve come in the fight for equal pay and recognizing the work that still needs to be done. The EEOC’s new Strategic Enforcement Plan reaffirms our commitment to using all our tools — including education, outreach, enforcement, and litigation – to combat pay discrimination and advance pay equity for all.”
Jocelyn Samuels, Vice Chair of the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission:
“I’m so gratified to join this celebration of the 15th anniversary of the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act. As I know from my work with her 15 and more years ago, Lilly is a tenacious and passionate fighter for equal pay and a model for women – and men – across the country. Her example will continue to inspire as we work to close the wage gap once and for all.”
Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro, Connecticut’s 3rd congressional district:
“The mother of the Fair Pay movement, Lilly Ledbetter is the namesake of the Fair Pay Act that Congress passed in 2009, making gender-based pay discrimination unlawful. For decades, Lilly was shortchanged by her employer and paid less than men in the same job. She fought back and took her fight all the way to the Supreme Court. Lilly has shown strength and perseverance in the face of injustice. She is an inspiration to the entire equal pay movement. It is an honor to celebrate the 15th anniversary of the Lilly Ledbetter Act with her. And it is why I am so proud to be leading the next step in the fight for pay equity—the Paycheck Fairness Act, because equal pay for equal work must be the law of the land. Thank you, Lilly, for leading the way.”
Deborah J. Vagins, Director of Equal Pay Today and National Campaign Director with Equal Rights Advocates:
“I was honored to work on the passage of the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act 15 years ago. Lilly has been, and continues to be, a champion for all of us, and I am privileged to call her my friend. Her law was an important victory for workers and gave employees who were experiencing ongoing pay discrimination their day in court. Equal Pay Today is proud to celebrate this anniversary with Lilly, and to stand with her as we continue to fight for new tools that will address and eliminate pay disparities that so deeply impact women workers, particularly women of color, and their families. Equal Pay Today’s Policy Agenda highlights many of the new policies we need to close pay gaps, including bills like the federal Paycheck Fairness Act and executive branch policies like the EEOC’s pay data collection and the Administration’s proposed ban on the use of salary history when setting wages for federal workers and contractors. We are grateful to Lilly for continuing to fight for smart policies like these for the rest of us.”
Gloria L. Blackwell, CEO of American Association of University Women (AAUW):
“As we celebrate the anniversary of the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act, AAUW extends our gratitude to Lilly for having the tenacity to pave the way towards reducing pay inequity. AAUW and our members will continue to work with the White House, Congress, and the states to advance policies that address the gender and racial wage gaps.”
Jocelyn C. Frye, President of National Partnership for Women & Families:
“Every person deserves a fair chance to fully participate and thrive in our economy, free from the barriers of discrimination and bias. Yet too many women — and especially women of color — continue to experience pay disparities, unfair treatment in their employment, and the devaluation of their contributions in the workplace. I am grateful for this opportunity to recognize the legacy of Lily Ledbetter’s groundbreaking advocacy and to use this anniversary to rededicate ourselves toward enacting strategies that advance pay equity and gender justice.”
Emily Martin, Chief Program Officer of National Women’s Law Center:
“Today we celebrate the 15th anniversary of the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act and the critical difference it has made for workers challenging discriminatory pay. Lilly’s story—and the Act that bears her name—highlights the power of transparency and accountability as tools for fighting pay disparities. Combatting pay discrimination and closing the wage gap remain crucial to the economic security of women, and we continue to advocate for additional policy solutions that are needed to achieve equal pay.”
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About Equal Pay Today
The mission of Equal Pay Today, a project at Equal Rights Advocates, is to eradicate the long-standing gender wage gap impacting the economic security of women, families, and communities of color. Through strategies involving policy reform, litigation, education and outreach, EPT’s innovative collaboration of national, regional, and state-based women’s legal advocacy, worker justice groups, and social justice organizations are changing conversations about equal pay at every opportunity.
PowHer Equity Awards Presented to Senator Ramos, Assembly member Joyner, SAG-AFTRA and Empire State Campaign for Child Care
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: info@powherny.org 914.329.4046
Gender and Racial Justice Groups Call for Bolder Policy Reform in 2024
December 11, 2023 - 4:00PM: The PowHer® New York Network of over 100 gender and racial justice organizations celebrates organizations and individuals who, despite considerable obstacles, advanced issues critical to women’s* economic well-being in New York. The event is held online at 4:00PM to 5:30PM RSVP Link
2023 PowHer® Equity Awardees:
Workers’ Rights Award to SAG-AFTRA - presented by actress Carrie Preston
PowHer® New York honors the strong leadership and the activism of the 160,000 members of SAG-AFTRA. We celebrate your hard fight and success in negotiations during the longest strike in the history of your union. With the newly ratified agreement, members will receive unprecedented wage escalation, significantly improved streaming compensation, and the first-ever crucial protections around the use of artificial intelligence technology. This is the result of the tenacity of your membership which gathered across the nation to boldly show the world that actors and industry professionals stand together. SAG-AFTRA illustrates the critical importance of unions to the well-being and advancement of all workers, especially women whose earnings are higher with union membership.
Pay Equity Awards to Senator Jessica Ramos and Assembly member Latoya Joyner - presented by Equal Pay Today!
Senator Jessica Ramos: PowHer®New York commends the tireless efforts of Senator Jessica Ramos, Chair of the Committee on Labor, for her ongoing commitment to changing the laws of New York State to make systemic change that will protect workers, close the gender and racial wage gap and address the undervaluing of the work of women, especially women of color. She sponsored and fought for the NmYS Salary Transparency Law, which went into effect in September of 2023. This transformational law is just one example of her passion for equity and skill in moving difficult legislation through considerable barriers to become law.
Assembly member Latoya Joyner: PowHer®New York honors Assemblymember Latoya Joyner (AD17), Chair of the Committee on Labor, as an outstanding champion on issues ranging from economic equity to domestic violence to education and protection of renters. Her tenacity and leadership were critical to the passage of the New York State Salary Transparency Law which went into effect in September, 2023. This groundbreaking law provides workers across the state with critical information about wages to inform their job searches and career development and helps business efficiently attract and retain talented and qualified employees.
Child Care Award to Empire State Campaign for Child Care (ESCCC):
PowHer®New York honors the strategic leadership and long term commitment of the Empire State Campaign for Child Care to build a high quality, affordable, accessible and just child care system for New York. In 2023, its powerful statewide grassroots movement fought successfully for dramatic expansion of the number of families who can qualify for government subsidies for child care, grants to boost compensation for the child care workforce and the continuation of the Governor’s Task Force which is assigned to design a path to universal access to quality affordable child care.
QUOTES:
“In 2023, despite historic pushback on women’s rights, New York made significant gains which Powher® New York is proud to spotlight through our Powher® Equity Awards. The remarkable accomplishments of our child care, pay equity and union rights awardees illustrate that collective action and collaboration can lead to life-changing policies and far-reaching culture shifts. We thank Senator Ramos, Assembly member Joyner, SAG-AFTRA and Empire State Child Care Campaign for their unwavering commitment, vision and partnership. There is so much work ahead, but together our community can build an equitable, just, and inclusive economy that respects the rights of women*, values their contributions, and provides the opportunity to not only survive, but to thrive,” said Beverly Neufeld, President, PowHer®New York.
"So much of my work as Labor Chair has been focused on upending the feminization of poverty, and PowHer®New York has been in that fight every step of the way. Whether it's SAG-AFTRA's historic wins on the picket line or our continued advancements for universal child care, the tide is changing for women in our economy," said State Senator Jessica Ramos.
“Salary transparency helps build trust between employees and employers.” Assemblywoman Latoya Joyner said. “I am proud to continue the fight for salary transparency and other important labor initiatives. Thank you to the Powher®New York for your continued support on this front.”
"SAG-AFTRA is honored to receive the PowHer®New York Equity Award for Advancing Worker Equity for our role in protecting union workers’ rights during the longest strike in our union's history. Unions raise the bar for everyone and help narrow the gender wage gap. We are proud to stand as a role model for all who seek fair pay and protections for workers, SAG-AFTRA Executive Director, New York Local, Labor Policy and International Affairs Rebecca Damon
“PowHer®NY’s leadership towards an inclusive, equitable economy for women in New York is an example for us all. We are proud to be honored today, amongst powerful state and movement leaders, for our work towards a system of universal child care where every child gets the best start, every family has the care they need, and every child care provider earns what she deserves, “ said Shanita Bowen, Steering Committee Co-Chair of the Empire State Campaign for Child Care, “Since 2017, the tireless work of child care providers, parents, and advocates as part of our Campaign has led to more mothers and families receiving the help they need to afford child care. It has also led to growing recognition that universal child care is only possible when the women who do this work are paid what they deserve. Our movement is growing stronger every year — as we grow in numbers, we grow in our determination to build a thriving child care system together.”
“On behalf of Equal Pay Today, we would like to congratulate the Empire State Campaign for Child Care, Senator Jessica Ramos, Assembly member Latoya Joyner, and SAG-AFTRA on being named this year’s Equity Champions,” said Deborah J. Vagins, Director of Equal Pay Today with Equal Rights Advocates. “As a coalition of local, state, and national organizations and hundreds of activists nationwide committed to addressing all the drivers of pay inequity, Equal Pay Today is honored to work with incredible leaders like PowHer®NY. We applaud PowHer®NY and the legislative Equity Champions in the enactment of the NYS Salary Transparency law, which improves the lives of workers in New York State and helps to drive momentum on pay transparency laws in states across the country and at the federal level,” said Vagins.
“Legal Momentum honors the groundbreaking contributions of the Empire State Campaign for Child Care, Senator Jessica Ramos, Assembly Member Latoya Joyner, and SAG-AFTRA. Together, your work has meaningfully set new expectations for what we must achieve on childcare; broken down a significant barrier to pay equity by securing unprecedented pay transparency with national impact; and demonstrated on a global scale the power of workers when they act collectively. We are also overwhelmingly grateful to PowHer®New York for the invaluable role it continues to play in both leading and uplifting this vital work to increase economic security for the women of New York,” said Seher Khawaja, Director of Economic Justice & Deputy Legal Director, Legal Momentum.
PowHer®New York (PowHer®NY) is a statewide network of 100+ organizations committed to securing economic equality for all New York women. Our unique model for collective action brings together diverse groups across issue areas, backgrounds, political parties and locales that work together on a shared agenda. Through intersectional collaborations, we educate about gender inequality, achieve policy reform, foster women’s leadership and convene innovators. PowHer New York is a 501c3 organization.
*Note: When PowHer®New York uses the word women, we unequivocally mean cis and trans women, and we are inclusive of all other gender-oppressed individuals, including non-binary and gender-expansive people.
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