Even during a pandemic, women performing essential work aren’t paid equally. And that’s no April Fool’s Day joke.
Women working as grocery store cashiers and physicians caring for COVID-19 patients are only being paid about 65 percent of what their male counterparts are being paid. Yesterday was Equal Pay Day, marking how far into 2020 women have to work to catch up to what men made last year. Every year this day is recognized by the Coalition of Labor Union Women and many other partner organizations to raise awareness about the gender wage gap. As I mentioned at the top, the COVID-19 pandemic is already disproportionately affecting women and their financial security, especially low-income women of color, who are overrepresented in many frontline jobs and industries experiencing massive layoffs. Pay inequity and the thousands of dollars that women lose each year to the wage gap have left millions of women and their families dangerously vulnerable to the economic shock of the coronavirus pandemic. It is no coincidence that the commonsense policies necessary for curbing COVID-19 outbreaks and keeping families financially secure right now – like paid sick days and paid family & medical leave – also help close the gender wage gap. The past few weeks made it very clear: A lifetime of pay discrimination adds up, with devastating consequences for our families, communities and our nation. In today’s labor history, on this date in 1946, 400,000 members of the United Mine Workers struck for higher wages and employer contributions to the union’s health and welfare fund. President Truman seized the mines. Today’s labor quote is by Bonnie Castillo, Executive Director of National Nurses United. Bonnie Castillo, who said: “If nurses are not protected and safe, more people will die, and the virus will continue to spread in greater numbers.” Union City Radio is supported by our friends at Union Plus, which stands up for union members and their families. At unionplus.org you’ll find useful links to coronavirus resources from the AFL-CIO, as well as Union Plus Hardship Help Benefits. Check it out at unionplus.org
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
Categories
All
Union City Radio is proud to be supported by UnionPlus, which has been working hard for union families since 1986.
Union City Radio is part of The Labor Radio/Podcast Network
Listen now...UC Radio airs weekdays at 7:15a on WPFW 89.3 FM; subscribe to the podcast here. |