ACLU Calls Swift Passage of Pay Equity Bills Strong Steps to Help Protect Wages

“Congress needs to send a message that wage discrimination is not acceptable,” said Caroline Fredrickson, director of the ACLU Washington Legislative Office. “This means passage of the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act and the Paycheck Fairness Act without delay. By passing this pay equity package swiftly, Congress will take a strong step toward stimulating the economy.”  

Together, these bills will help to create a climate where wage discrimination is not tolerated and give the new administration enforcement tools to make progress on pay equity. The Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act restores rights to address pay discrimination taken away by the Supreme Court in Ledbetter v. Goodyear Tire and Rubber Co. In 2007, the Supreme Court ruled that Ms. Ledbetter, a 19-year employee of Goodyear, did not have a valid claim of wage discrimination because she had not filed her complaint within 180 days of her employer’s initial discriminatory pay decision – even though her employer kept the information secret for years. The act clarifies that ongoing wage discrimination represents a continuing violation by the employer.