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Foster Marks 50th Anniversary of Equal Pay Act

June 14, 2013

Calls For Congress To Pass Paycheck Fairness Act

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Foster Marks 50th Anniversary of Equal Pay Act

Washington, DC—Today, Congressman Bill Foster (IL-11) released a statement celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Equal Pay Act. The Act, signed into law by President John F. Kennedy, established the principle of equal pay for equal work by women.

While the Equal Pay Act marked the first step towards pay equality, 50 years later, Illinois women still only make on average 77 cents for every dollar men make doing the same work – that adds up to a pay gap of $11,596 a year.

“While the signing of the Equal Pay Act was an important step forward, the data shows we still have much work to do to achieve pay equality, especially right here in Illinois” Foster said. “It is disgraceful that women in the workplace still face such a large pay gap. Equal work deserves equal pay. It’s time for Congress to pass the Paycheck Fairness Act and ensure women are getting the fair pay and respect they deserve.”

Foster is a cosponsor of the Paycheck Fairness Act, which would make wage discrimination based on gender subject to the same remedies as discrimination based on race or national origin; would prohibit employers from retaliating against workers for sharing salary information; and would enhance the federal government’s ability to enforce pay discrimination laws.