TARTAGLIONE LAUDS EQUAL PAY RALLY, URGES SUPPORT FOR BILL

HARRISBURG, April 14, 2004 -- Although another year has passed without any action by the General Assembly, state Sen. Christine M. Tartaglione said today she remains confident that steps will be taken to close the wage gap between men and women.

The issue of wage parity was the focus of a rally today at the State Capitol to raise awareness and draw attention to the persistent gaps in wages based on gender and race.

 “Today, there are more women working than ever,” Tartaglione said. “And women are finding their political voice as well.  They can’t be ignored much longer.”

Despite state and federal laws banning wage discrimination, women still earn only about 77 cents for each dollar earned by a male counterpart in a similar job, according to the U.S. Department of Labor.  Pennsylvania ranks near the bottom among states for the disparity.

While the pay gap grew smaller over the past 30 years, there are indications that progress has stalled. Similar wage disparities exist for minority employees.

Tartaglione, the prime sponsor of Senate Bill 329, which prohibits gender and race discrimination in payroll practices, was unable to attend a rally of influential governmental and business leaders -- both men and women -- at the Capitol today, but said she is united with them.

“This is not just a women’s issue,” she said. “It’s also a children’s issue and a family issue.  More and more families are dependent on women as prime wage earners.  Cheating them out of 23 cents on the dollar robs their children as well.”

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