AAUW-PA Public Policy Co-Chair Barbara Price told “A Tale of Two Women,” a parable illustrating the ways in which economic barriers impact two women in different socio-economic situations during every stage of their lives. One graduates from high school to a minimum wage job, the other goes to college, racks up student debt and graduates to a 7% pay gap as compared to her male counterparts. Both marry and have children and face the problem of finding quality childcare and balancing the cost of that childcare against the amount that they can make outside the home. Both are impacted by the pay gap throughout their lives, retiring to get less in Social Security because of their lower average wages.
Pennsylvania is one of the worst states for women. An Oxfam report ranked PA 24th overall in its best and worst states to work in, but it ranked 36th in wage dimension relative to a living wage, and 37th in worker protections, such as paid family leave, protection from sexual harassment, and equal pay. Pennsylvania also has the highest average student loan debt. Pennsylvania also has a lower minimum wage than any of the surrounding states, including West Virginia. About 53% of those who would benefit from an increase are women. 41% are 40 years old or older. 60% work full-time.
There are six pieces of legislation in the state legislature, three in the House and three in the Senate, that would address these issues:
- HB 850 and SB 721 would provide for pay equity.
- HB 1215 and SB 12 would gradually raise the minimum wage.
- HB 1739 and SB 580, The Family Care Act, would establish a statewide fund into which workers can make small payroll deductions and get benefits during times of family health emergencies.
Tell your legislatures to support these measures and thank them if they have already signed on. Here’s how the local legislators currently stand:
Sen. Steve Santarsiero (District 10) co-sponsored all three measures in the Senate
Sen. Tommy Tomlinson has not yet supported any of the pieces of legislation
Rep. John Galloway (140) co-sponsored all three bills in the House
Rep. Perry Warren (31) has signed on to 1215 and 1739
Rep. Tina Davis (141) has signed on to 850 and 1215
Rep. Frank Farry (142) has signed on to 1739
Rep. Gene DiGirolamo (18) has signed on to 850 and 1739