Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver joined today with Assemblywoman Addie Russell, chair of the Taskforce on Women's Issues, and Assemblyman Carl Heastie, chair of the Labor Committee, to mark National Pay Equity Day by passing legislation aimed at ending discrimination in the workplace.

Nearly five decades after the national Equal Pay Act and Civil Rights Act abolished wage disparities, discrimination based on gender, race, and national origin still result in significant lifetime earnings losses.

"Ensuring equal pay for equal work creates a foundation for an economy that is both thriving and just," said Silver. "With the passage of this legislation, I and my colleagues in the Assembly Majority hope to expand the economic power of all New Yorkers regardless of their gender, race, or birthplace."

As part of today's recognition of National Pay Equity Day, the Assembly passed four bills including the New York State Fair Pay Act (A.5958/Heastie), which prohibits employers from paying lower wages based on gender, race or national origin for work in equivalent jobs. Other measures in the package would:

• Amend the civil service law to establish a fair and non-biased wage structure for all employees regardless of sex, race or national origin at both the state (A.753/Rosenthal) and local (A.1729/Jaffee) levels; and
• Direct the president of the Civil Service Commission to study and publish a report evaluating wage disparities among public employers (A.881/Lifton).

"New York has always been a leader in workplace equality and fair pay legislation," said Heastie. "With this legislation, we underscore our commitment to the professional growth and development of all our citizens. Particularly during these lean economic times, it is our responsibility to ensure equal pay for equal work for all."

"My sincere hope is that these actions help bring down the glass ceilings and discriminatory practices that have muted the full force of New York's economic power," said Russell. "These actions remind us that the home of the Seneca Falls convention, the birthplace of the American women's rights movement, remains a leader in the empowerment of women and minorities."

"While women have made tremendous strides toward gender equality, our work is far from over, as evidenced by the persistence of income inequality. Income discrimination is bad for women, their families and the economy, and its impact is pervasive, particularly as women reach retirement age and find that they have much less than their male counterparts with which to retire," said Assemblymember Linda B. Rosenthal. "My bill, A.753, which will require New York State to compensate male and female employees equally for work of comparable value, will end a practice that devalues stereotypically 'female-dominated careers' merely because they are female dominated. In addition, this bill will advance New York's commitment to equality by reinforcing evenhanded compensation for all our citizens. In this, as in all matters, the state must lead by example and commit to closing the pay gap and removing institutional and systematic barriers that inhibit wage growth for women and minorities."

"Closing the wage gap would bring the Empire State one step closer to the goal of equality championed throughout our history," said Assemblymember Barbara Lifton. "To that end, the regular evaluation of civil service wage disparities will provide vital data on our success or failure in this arena. I commend the Speaker and my colleagues for supporting this legislation, moving to strike down inequitable practices, and encouraging the professional success of marginalized populations."

"When more than one million households in New York State are headed by hardworking women who are responsible for the economic security of their families, and often struggling to make ends meet, passing pay equity legislation is more important than ever," said Assemblymember Ellen Jaffee. "Closing the gender wage gap will give women the critical economic boost they deserve, make families more financially secure, and grow our local economy. By taking strong action to correct income disparity we help ensure equality, independence and freedom from discrimination for all women who call New York home."