issue: Economic Justice

To celebrate the 50th anniversaries of Medicare and Medicaid and all great things that these vital programs do for women’s health and economic security, NOW urged activists earlier this week to hold or join a local birthday celebration. Supporters in more than 60 cities were planning to hold parties, flash mobs and discussions, such as in Oakland where they held a rally and march hosted by the Campaign for a Healthy California and, in Boston, MassCARE organized a party with cake, music, and speakers.

Moving Toward Economic Equity – A long standing injustice soon could be rectified. Recently, President Obama announced a rule change to increase the salary threshold at which employers may exempt workers from overtime pay (for work beyond 40 hours per week) from $23,660 up to $50,440, starting in 2016. This is welcomed news for those of us that value fair pay as it would enable five million more workers to gain access to the overtime pay they deserve, but have been cheated out of it for decades. Their loss in income is due to efforts by conservative political leaders and business lobbyists who have kept the salary threshold that is subject to the overtime pay requirement unfairly low. The five million are part of a total 11 million workers who would be newly guaranteed overtime pay if the rule change is adopted. Importantly, women constitute a majority of workers in this group.