DES MOINES – Today, Equal Pay Day 2017, we fight for every woman in the workforce and the struggles they face on a daily basis. In solidarity with the working women of Iowa, Iowa Democratic Party Chair, Derek Eadon issued the following statement:
“Equal Pay Day serves as a reminder of the challenges and obstacles women continue to face every day in the workplace. In Iowa, women earn 77 cents for every dollar men earn. The wage gap is even wider among women of color. With full control of the legislature, Iowa GOP legislators could have used their power in the majority to bridge the wage gap in Iowa and ensure the hardworking women of Iowa the equal pay that they have earned and deserve. The fact Republicans haven’t broached the subject of equal pay for equal work this legislative session shows just how little they appreciate women and their valuable contributions to Iowa’s workforce.
“While Democrats might not have control of the government on the state or national level, it is up to us to lead the way and set an example not only on the equal pay issue but on fairness and equality for women in all aspects of the workforce. Not only do women receive less pay compared to their male counterparts, women are more often overlooked and passed over for promotions and opportunities for career advancement. From the classroom to the boardroom, we must empower women with leadership positions and practice our principles of rewarding hard work and dedication. If we truly want to champion gender equality, equal pay for equal work must be a priority 365 days of the year.”