*NYC Hearing 6/2010*
Posted by bneufeld on July 20, 2010 at 14:44 pm
An encouraging exchange of information and ideas took place at the June 16th hearing, Closing the Gender Wage Gap, sponsored by the NYC Council Women’s Issues Committee. Council Member Julissa Ferreras, Chair, members of the committee, and CM Letitia James heard from and questioned experts presented by the Equal Pay Coalition NYC and NYWA. The result was a firm commitment to action in the coming session. We will make sure that happens!
Women’s Committee Briefing Paper
Quick overview of testimony followed by full testimony :
Beverly Neufeld, Director of EPCNYC, set forth the Coalitions’ “Agenda for Change” which includes a Taskforce on Women’s Economic Status, pay equity amendments to the Human Rights law, and greater commitment to access to capital and better jobs for the NYC women.
Special guest, Martha Burk, advisor to New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson reviewed the exciting and innovative approach New Mexico is taking to ensure pay equity.
Hunter College Prof. Pamela Stone shared her research on Pay Equity as an effective tool against poverty. Ana Oliviera, Executive Director of the NY Women’s Foundation, powerfully explained the need for fairer, effective policies.
By reading from testimony presented before a Senate Committee in 2000 when she was Director of DOL’s Women’s Bureau, Irasema Garza, head of Legal Momentum, dramatically illustrated that progress has been stalled.
Dina Bakst, Founder of A Better Balance, discussed current federal and state Equal Pay laws and the need for reform. Lisa Lipman, EPCNYC’a pro bono attorney, explained potential legislative solutions through amendments of NYC’s Human Rights Law.
Merble Reagon, Executive Director of WCECA, previewed the newly released Self Sufficiency Standard and speak to the incomes of poor women in NY and what equity could mean to their families.
Joan D. Firestone, NYWA Government Affairs Co-Chair, and researcher Susan Jonas representing 50/50 in 2020 provided insight and studies on how inequities penetrate the women’s theatre community and undermine the economic health of our city.
Journeywoman Plumber Joyce Collier with her Legal Advocate Cay Fatima brought the facts to life with stories of continuing and daily inequities for tradeswomen.
Testimony_DBakst Testimony_BNeufeld Testimony_JFirestone
2000 Testimony_IGarza Testimony_MBurk Testimony_SJonas
Report_AOliviera Study_MReagon Testimony_PStone
Filed Under: Uncategorized
