Equal pay for equal work still not equal

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It’s Equal Pay Day, an observance that symbolizes how far into 2016 women have to work to catch up to the wages men earned in 2015. Despite more than five decades of federal law prohibiting gender-based wage discrimination, Nina Muckenthaler, administrative vice president of Michigan NOW, said women in the United States earn 79 cents for every dollar men are paid, and in Michigan it’s just 75 cents. While women have felt the impact for a long time, Muckenthaler said, the issue finally is getting more voice and attention. The Michigan Equal Pay Coalition is encouraging folks from all walks of life to join a rally on the Capitol steps today to encourage lawmakers to pass legislation to close the wage gap. Participants are encouraged to wear red to symbolize that woman’s wages are “in the red.” Information on pay-equity legislation is online at miequalpay.files.wordpress.com.