YAY! Equal PAY!

This just in from AAAUW, American Association of University Women:

Thanks to the tireless work of AAUW members and supporters for more than a decade, the House of Representatives passed (247-178) the Paycheck Fairness Act (H.R. 1338) last week.

All Democrats present voted for the bill, and 14 Republicans crossed the aisle to vote yes in favor of equal pay. See how your representative voted, and contact your representative about their vote. Thank the representatives who supported the Paycheck Fairness Act. Express your extreme disappointment to those representatives who voted against this bill, and urge them to support pay equity legislation in the future.

Celebrate AAUW’s success in the passage of the Paycheck Fairness Act! Visit AAUW’s website to read the in-depth story of the steps and strategies leading up to the bill’s passage and AAUW’s instrumental role in this victory. See pictures of AAUW leading the charge, capping off a fight that lasted more than a decade, and learn more about the role you and thousands of AAUW members and supporters across the nation played in this win for pay equity. Download a copy of the article for your branch and state newsletters. Then, visit our blog to let us know what you think of this success.

Thousands of Action Network subscribers sent multiple messages to their representatives in favor of this legislation, and AAUW’s Capitol Hill Lobby Corps visited many congressional offices to represent the support of AAUW members across the nation. In addition, AAUW coordinated a sign-on letter for 200 national, state, and local coalition partners to show Congress the widespread support for the bill.

If enacted, the Paycheck Fairness Act would update and strengthen the Equal Pay Act of 1963, closing loop holes and improving the law’s effectiveness. Equal pay for equal work is a simple matter of justice for women, and the House passage of the Paycheck Fairness Act is a critical step forward in our goal to close the persistent and sizable wage gaps between men and women.

Take Action!

To contact your representative regarding his or her vote on the Paycheck Fairness Act, just click on the “Take Action” link in the upper right corner or copy and paste the following URL into your Internet browser. Then, follow the instructions to send your message. http://capwiz.com/aauw/issues/alert/?alertid=11770306&type=CO

AAUW continues to have “I am the face of pay equity” signs and stickers available for use at AAUW events. Visit AAUW’s Pay Equity webpage and download the Pay Equity Resource Kit for ideas, tips, and resources to use in your community throughout the year.