title
A resolution recognizing March 12, 2024, as Equal Pay Day in Nashville and Davidson County.
body
WHEREAS, more than 50 years after the passage of the Equal Pay Act and Title VII of the Civil Rights Act, women and people of color continue to suffer the consequences of inequitable pay differentials; and
WHEREAS, according to statistics released in 2016 by the U.S. Census Bureau, year-round, full-time working women in 2015 earned only 80% of the earnings of year-round, full-time working men, indicating little change or progress in pay equity; and
WHEREAS, according to a January 2002 report released by the General Accounting Office (the investigative arm of Congress), women managers in 7 of 10 industries surveyed, actually lost ground in closing the wage gap between 1995 and 2000; and
WHEREAS, according to an analysis of data in over 300 classifications provided by the U.S. Department of Labor Statistics in 2001, women earn less in every occupational classification for which enough data is available, including occupations dominated by women (e.g., cashiers, retail sales, registered nurses, and teachers); and
WHEREAS, higher education is not free from wage discrimination according to a U.S. Department of Education analysis, reporting that, after controlling for rank, age, credentials, field of study and other factors, full-time female faculty members earn nearly 9% less than their male counterparts; and
WHEREAS, over a working lifetime, this wage disparity costs the average American woman and her family $700,000 to $2 million in lost wages, impacting Social Security benefits and pensions; and
WHEREAS, fair pay equity policies can be implemented simply and without undue costs or hardship in both the public and private sectors; and
WHEREAS, fair pay strengthens the security of families today and eases future retirement costs, while enhancing the American economy; and
WHEREAS, Tuesday, March 12, 2024, symbolizes the time this year in which the wages paid to American women catch up to the wages paid to men from the previous year; and
WHEREAS, it is fitting and proper that the Metropolitan Council recognize Equal Pay Day to recognize the full value of women's skills and significant contributions to the labor force.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE METROPOLITAN GOVERNMENT OF NASHVILLE AND DAVIDSON COUNTY:
Section 1. That the Metropolitan County Council hereby goes on record as recognizing March 12, 2024, as Equal Pay Day in Nashville and Davidson County.
Section 2. This Resolution shall take effect from and after its adoption, the welfare of The Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County requiring it.