Elizabeth Warren Stands Up for Women

 

Elizabeth Warren Stands Up for Women
Scott Brown Opposes Equal Pay for Equal Work

On June 5, 2012, Republican Senator Scott Brown voted “NO” on the Paycheck Fairness Act, a bill aimed to decrease the wage gap between men and women. “Across the nation, women earn 77 cents for every dollar a man earns, and over their careers, that means they take home hundreds of thousands of dollars less than men,” Warren said. “Women deserve equal pay for equal work – especially now, when women are the sole breadwinner or the co-breadwinner of so many families.”

According to the National Partnership for Women and Families, the average woman in Massachusetts who works full time takes home $46,213 per year, while the average man in Massachusetts makes $56,959 per year. That’s an annual gap of $10,746 between men and women who work full time. And, during a 40-year career, the average women makes $434,000 less on average than men for comparable work [Center for American Progress].

Scott Brown has a track record of voting against women. He first voted against paycheck fairness in November 2010 and, a few months ago, Brown co-sponsored the Blunt Amendment to let any employer or insurance company refuse to provide women’s heath care services, Scott Brown and his team believe that paycheck fairness and the effort to close the wage gap is a “burden.” Elizabeth believes that what you’re paid for your work should be based on your experience and ability.

“With his vote, Scott Brown is telling the women of Massachusetts he thinks it’s okay that they continue to earn less than men with the same education doing the same work. His vote is costing Massachusetts families hard earned dollars that they can’t afford to lose in these tough times,” said Warren.

The Paycheck Fairness Act works to ensure that wage rate differentials are a result of relevant job-related factors like education, training, or experiences, rather than sex. It increases protection against retaliation and strengthens enforcement mechanisms. In addition, it improves data collection, authorizes training programs, and requires the creation of assistance programs to help small businesses. The Republican Party’s attacks on women need to stop, and that starts with making sure women receive equal pay for equal work. Tell Scott Brown that women deserve to earn fair wages: http://elizabethwarren.com/paycheck-fairness.