The U.S. House of Representatives delivered a stunning blow against the controversial Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) Pact, a massive “free” trade agreement that has been negotiated in secret by large multinational corporations over recent years and which promises to be every bit as damaging as past agreements.
Women already earn less due to a lifetime of gender-based pay discrimination and often struggle to support their families on limited incomes. The Trans-Pacific Partnership or TPP, a massive trade agreement with Pacific Rim nations will be soon be voted on by Congress. The agreement – like many others before it – will likely result in lower wages for U.S. workers. Undoubtedly, women stand to lose the most if the TPP is adopted.
Peggy Young, a former employee of UPS, became pregnant in 2006 and was instructed by her doctor to not lift more than 20 pounds. Her normal duties at UPS, consisting mostly of delivering letters, very rarely required her to lift anything heavier than 20 pounds. However, UPS forced her to take unpaid leave as she was “too much of a liability” and she had to go without her employer-sponsored health insurance while pregnant. Other employees, those with disabilities, people with on-the-job injuries and even employees who had lost their commercial drivers’ licenses as a result of DUI convictions, received “light duty,” which was an accommodation UPS refused to provide Peggy Young.
Research has proven that women are paid less than their male counterparts performing identical jobs under identical conditions. Women continue to be undervalued and underpaid employees in nearly every occupation. In addition to raising awareness for the need of fair pay, Equal Pay Day highlights the complexities of intersectionality in employment and wage. Currently, it Read more …
NOW activists are organizing through our network of hundreds of chapters and state organizations for equal pay for work of equal value — that’s just simple justice. It’s time for Congress to do its part: stand up for women and pass the Paycheck Fairness Act.
Tell the Senate to vote No on the SAVE America Act.