Equal+Pay+For+Equal+Work

Problem Statement

Vision: In a perfect world everyone would be paid according to the same system, where harder jobs get higher salaries, and jobs that are on the same level pay the same salary.

Issue: Women in the workforce are not paid the same as men. If this is not addressed we will continue to live in a society that discourages half of its workforce from working as hard as it can, and women will be in a worse economic position than men.

Method: We will work to educate women about the law and speak to legislators to make laws that effectively keep wages fair in reality and not just in theory.

=**__Equal Pay for Equal Work Flyer:__**= $0.78≠$1.00 Equal Pay For Equal Work Old but not irrelevant · Women are still paid 78 cents to every dollar men make · Studies suggest that this is not entirely due to their job and lifestyle choices · Jobs requiring equal education and skill, but in areas dominated by women pay less · Recent legislation makes it harder for women to bring employers to court · Educate yourself- learn your rights · Talk to your legislators about protecting the right to equal pay · Spread the word
 * What are the facts?**
 * What can you do?**

Resources http://www.now.org/issues/economic/factsheet.html http://www.eeoc.gov/laws/types/equalcompensation.cfm http://www.essortment.com/all/equalpayact_rvwx.htm http://www.law.cornell.edu/supct/html/05-1074.ZS.html

**Media Advisory** --- May 21, 2010

CONTACT: Emma Anderson (phone number) Students for a Fair Workplace

Students for a Fair Workplace Organizes Women’s Discount Night at Local Restaurant

North Kingstown – More than one hundred residents are expected to turn out on June 12, 2010 to go to a Women’s Discount night where women will receive a 22% discount on food, in proportion to their lower wages, according to Emma Anderson.

Students for a Fair Workplace has planned a Women’s Discount Night in order to raise awareness about the pay gap and gain support for closing it. This event will raise awareness of the problems posed by the pay gap and fit with other local events such as ‘unhappy hour.’


 * WHO:** Town council members, Students for a Fair Workplace, volunteers
 * WHAT:** Women’s Discount Night
 * WHERE:** Local Restaurant
 * WHEN:** June 12, 2010 from 5PM to 10PM

Although the Equal Pay Act was passed in 1963, women still get only seventy-seven cents to every dollar that men make. Some people argue that this can be explained by the jobs that they choose, and women taking breaks from work to raise children, however even when these things are adjusted for there is still a gap.

Students for a Fair Workplace is a student group that supports fair employment practices. It is entirely student run.

**2010 -- H BILL #**

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LC01752 ß ignore this because it will be taken care of by the House Clerk

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**S T A T E O F R H O D E I S L A N D**


 * IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY**


 * JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2010**

A N A C T RELATING TO Equal pay for women

__Introduced By__: List the Representatives who will submit the Bill for you __Date Introduced__: __Referred To__: Leave Blank – the House Clerk will enter the information

It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows: ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** || __Preamble:__ whereas the Equal Pay Act was passed in 1963 requiring equal salaries for people
 * Title of Bill: Enforcement of Equal Pay**
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in equivalent positions, women are still paid 78 cents for every dollar men make, research

has shown that career and life style choices do not fully explain this discrepancy, and the

current 180 day period is insufficient time for women to file suit,

SECTION 1: Let a period of 540 days be allowed from the time of the rights violation to the

time of the report.

SECTION 2: Let businesses be required tpo inform employees of the salaries of equivalent

positions regularly, no fewer than two times a year.

SECTION 3: Let equivalent positions be defined by and outside authority based on effort

expended and skill required.

SECTION 4: This bill shall go into effect 94 days after passage. ||

= Emma Anderson = Students for A Fair Workplace joeschmoe@email.com 1234 joe schmoe road Town, STATE ZIP
 * 555-555-5555 **

May 27, 2010 Representative Ehrhardt State Representative State House 82 Smith Street Room 323 Providence, RI 02903-1105

Dear Representative Ehrhardt,

America: the country of opportunity, the place where anyone can succeed if they work hard, the land of freedom, the land of fair courts and government. This is what people think of when they think of America. But these opportunities are limited by the money that you earn. If America is truly fair, truly free, truly a place where everyone can make a name for themselves, then all people should be offered the same chances. Everyone should be able to make the same amount of money. However, this is not what happens. Although the Equal Pay Act was passed in 1963, women in America still make only 78 cents for every dollar that men make. This discrepancy cannot be fully explained by their different choices in careers and lifestyles. Women in America do not really have that same chance because of this. Recently a decision was made that makes it even more difficult for women to file suit against their employers. They now have only 180 days between the time their employer breaks the law and the time when they can be brought to court. Because of the time needed to discover the problem, this means that it is almost impossible for women to win cases. This means that not only is the Equal Pay Act not being automatically accepted by employers, these infractions are not being prosecuted in our courts. I am writing to you today to ask you to vote in favor of the bill currently being considered in the Rhode Island House of Representatives. If this bill is passed, women will have 540 days to file. This will make it much easier for them to succeed, and ensure that they are treated fairly. Right now, women do not live in the land of opportunity. Please vote to help give them the rights they deserve as human beings.

Respectfully,

Emma Anderson

Direct Action Plan

Goal: Bring attention to the issue of pay inequality, raise support for bill.

Date: June 12, 2010 5PM-10PM

Location: Local Restaurant

Event: Women receive a 22% discount on everything in proportion with their salaries.

Speakers: Teresa Tumbleweed, 2 other local speakers, State Representative, band.

Organizer: Host, should introduce all speakers, give talk about goals, what can be done, speak about bill, talk to people generally.

= **Title** =

Putting the Backboard Together: (June 7)
REMINDER: DIALOGUES FOR DEMOCRACY WILL BE HELD AT 7:00 PM Wednesday June 9th in the High School Cafeteria. You are required to be there. Project Completed by: Add your names here. You can add you email addresses if you want people to be able to contact you.