FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
April 23, 2007

For more information contact:
Diane Moser, Wyoming Business Council, WCWI Ex-officio, 307.777.2848

WCWI celebrates Equal Pay Day on April 24

CHEYENNE – The Wyoming Council for Women’s Issues (WCWI) will celebrate Equal Pay Day, a national observance that recognizes the wage gap between working women and men on April 24.

The U.S. Census Bureau reports that women receive on average 77 cents for every dollar their male counterparts are paid, a gap of 23 cents. According to the Wyoming Department of Employment, Wyoming women receive even less than the national average; 57 cents for every dollar their male counterparts are paid. In 2005, women comprised 46 percent of Wyoming’s workforce, with approximately 142,842 workers in the state.

The WCWI supports the effort to eliminate the gender wage gap. “Pay equity is a growing national movement,” said Teresa de Groh, chairman of the WCWI. “States around the country are introducing pay equity legislation and women continue to recognize the importance of this legislation. Pay inequity penalizes families, and this inequity has been enhanced due to the energy boom in the state. We must address it when trying to boost and diversify the economy. At the rate we are going, the gap will not be eliminated until 2040. Women and families cannot afford to wait that long.”

The WCWI offers businesses and Wyoming women four options to begin to close the gender wage gap:

First, affirmative action programs should be in place to make sure education, jobs and promotion opportunities are open and offered to qualified women.

Second, employers should examine and correct their pay practices. Employers can get help in examining their pay practices through equal pay self-audit guidelines from the U.S. Department of Labor.

Third, women should stand up for equal pay and for themselves. Prospective employers should be able to show that women and men are being paid equally for jobs. Positive signs include a hiring process that seeks diversity through affirmative action, written pay and benefit policies, job descriptions and evaluation procedures.

Fourth, women should explore opportunities available in what are considered to be “nontraditional” fields, such as construction, truck driving, and science, technology, engineering and math occupations. Many employers in these “nontraditional” areas are searching for workers and are offering family friendly workplace strategies to attract and retain highly-qualified, dedicated workers.

The WCWI encourages women who do not receive equal pay to discuss the problem with their employer. If discrimination persists, file a complaint with the Wyoming Department of Employment, Labor Standards Division or with the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. For more information on Equal Pay Day, visit www.pay-equity.org/day.html.

The Wyoming Council for Women’s Issues is a 13-member council with representation from each of the nine Judicial Districts in addition to four at large members and one ex-officio member of the Wyoming Business Council. The WCWI is a Governor appointed council.

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