FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 31, 2020
Contact: Philip Shulman (phils@wisdems.org)
Democratic Party of Wisconsin Statement on Impact of Equal Pay Gap in Midst of Coronavirus Pandemic
(MADISON, WI) — Today marks equal pay day for women — the 90 extra days it takes female workers to earn what a man does, doing similar work, in a calendar year. For immigrant women and women of color, that amount of time is even longer. President Barack Obama signed into law the Lilly Ledbetter Act, as well as Executive orders, that started leveling the playing field. Unfortunately, Donald Trump does not believe men and women doing the same job should be paid equally, as he has done everything in his power to roll back these provisions.
Fortunately, a judge ruled that Trump’s actions to roll back a rule that mandated companies list out wages earned based on gender and race was illegal. This came on the heels of Trump declaring “I respect women. And I will do more for women than anybody else because of the way I feel.” Trump only has three women serving in cabinet positions, the lowest number in nearly 30 years.
In the midst of the Coronavirus pandemic, women are not only losing their jobs, but those who are still employed are earning far less than they deserve. 85% of hospice care workers and personal aides are women, and they are on average getting paid $5,000 less than their male counterparts. Child care workers, 93% of whom are women, are losing the same amount due to the wage gap. At a time when it is important to stay at home, particularly for older people, these workers are more important than ever. The danger they face everyday coupled with their lost wages is abhorrent. President Trump’s failure to take Coronavirus seriously from day one in addition to his attack on equal wages, has disproportionately hurt women.
Instead of addressing the gender pay gap, Trump has spent his time in office attacking women across the country. During this crisis he has personally attacked House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer, General Motors CEO Mary Barra, and PBS reporter Yamiche Alcindor.
Democratic Party of Wisconsin Communications Director Courtney Beyer and Spokesperson Philip Shulman released the following joint statement:
“It is depraved that President Donald Trump has spent his time in office trying to undermine equal pay laws. When we are facing the crisis of a lifetime, women are in an even worse economic predicament thanks to Trump. It is no wonder that women voters are the reason Democrats won back the House and seven governorships in 2018. Now, with the 2020 general election on the horizon, women are going to send a clear message that equal work deserves equal pay, and presidents who oppose that while launching personal sexist attacks will not be given a second chance.”
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