Support Fair Pay Restoration Act of 2007

Urge your Senators to Support the Fair Pay Restoration Act of 2007 (S.1843) to correct the recent Supreme Court decision that guts the ability of workers to sue for wage discrimination.

In Ledbetter v. Goodyear Tire and Rubber Co., the Bush Supreme Court ruled against a woman who worked for Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company for 19 years before realizing that she was paid significantly less than her male counterparts with the same or less experience. The Supreme Court ruled 5-4 that wage discrimination complaints could only be filed within 180 days of the initial discriminatory salary decision, even if the victim is unaware of the discrimination until much later.

The Ledbetter decision reversed decades of precedent in wage discrimination cases decided under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act.

Just before the August recess, the House passed the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act of 2007 to reinstate prior law. The Senate must move immediately to pass the companion bill, the Fair Pay Restoration Act, introduced by Senator Edward M. Kennedy (D-MA), with Senators Hillary Clinton (D-NY), Olympia Snowe, (R-ME) and Arlen Spector (R-PA).

Tell your Senators to reverse the Supreme Court's assault on wage discrimination law by supporting the Fair Pay Restoration Act of 2007.

For Women's Lives,
Eleanor Smeal
President, Feminist Majority

Comments

[norcal]

There are lots of factors that make up pay rates. Job title, responsibilities, experience, tenure with a company, performance, salary negotiation, and the supply and demand of when someone is hired are all factors. However, I believe everyone should be paid the same as their co-workers regardless of their demographics. Companies that actively discriminate against women in pay or elsewhere should face much more severe consequences than 180 days of past and current staff that uncovers the discrimination.