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WHEREAS, Equal Pay Day represents how far into the year a woman must work to make the same that her male counterparts made in the previous year; and
WHEREAS, started in 1996, Equal Pay Day seeks to raise awareness about the inequality that still exists for women in the workplace across our country; and
WHEREAS, on average, women earn only 77 cents for every dollar a male counterpart in the same job with the same level of experience earns; and
WHEREAS, over the course of her lifetime pay inequality will cost the average woman tens of thousands of dollars in unrealized earnings, diminished retirement savings, and lower Social Security benefits; and
WHEREAS, pay inequality doesn't just affect women, it impacts entire families, especially as many households now rely on two incomes; and
WHEREAS, while the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act, passed by the Congress and signed by President Obama in 2009, is a strong start towards pay equality, it only provides assistance after discrimination has occurred; and
WHEREAS, elected leaders and public and private employers from the local to the national level must lead by example and commit to fair and equal pay for all employees, particularly when families are struggling to make ends meets in this economy.
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NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Council of the City of Pittsburgh does hereby recognize Equal Pay Day 2012; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Council of the City of Pittsburgh does hereby call on public and private employers in Pittsburgh and around the country to ensure fair and equal pay for all employees.