Statement by Sandra Feldman,
President, American Federation of Teachers,
on Equal Pay Day

The pay disparity highlighted by Equal Pay Day provides a clear signal that the promise of "equal opportunity for all" is not yet a reality for many American workers. Today, despite our nation's many advances in civil rights, wages for women and minorities still lag far behind those of men and nonminorities. Nationwide, the wage gap costs working families $200 billion in unrealized income per year. Making matters even worse, the disparity often continues after retirement because pensions are based on wages.

The AFT has always fought for fair pay, especially for our many members who work in education and health care - jobs traditionally held by women and, therefore, historically underpaid. Union membership is a powerful weapon in the fight for equal pay: The typical female union member earns 38 percent more per week than a woman who does not belong to a union.

But unions alone can't eliminate the pay gap entirely. That's why AFT is calling on Congress to pass the Paycheck Fairness Act, introduced by Sen. Daschle (D-S.D.) and Rep. DeLauro (D-Conn.), which would strengthen enforcement of the Equal Pay Act. The AFT urges legislatures in every state to establish and protect the right of workers to organize.

We look forward to a time when Equal Pay Day is no longer a reminder of a terrible inequity in wages but a celebration of a great victory for America's workers.

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