FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Oregon Labor Commissioner Avakian Issues Equal Pay Day Message

[Burr, Charlie]

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Press Release
For Immediate Release
April 9, 2013, 2013
CONTACT: Charlie Burr, (971) 673-0788, (503) 913-5407 cell.

Oregon Labor Commissioner Avakian Issues National Equal Pay Day Message
Investment in career and technical education can help address pay equity, says Avakian

PORTLAND - Oregon Labor and Industries Commissioner Brad Avakian today issued the following statement about pay equity in Oregon:


"On Equal Pay Day, we mark the day of year that represents how far into 2013 women must work to earn the same as what men earn for comparable work. Despite our state's leadership - and first-in-the-nation Equal Pay Law, there's more to be done to ensure equal pay for equal work.

Pay disparity affects short-term earnings, long-term savings, retirement security and educational opportunity. According to the U.S. Census Bureau statistics, women in Oregon in 2010 earned 77.3 cents for every dollar that male workers earned in the state. And disparity among women of color is even more acute - an Oregon Employment Department report found that in 2007, white women Oregon were earning an average income of $34,152 for full-time, year-round work compared to $32,739 for Asian women and $20,333 for Hispanic and Latina women.

As the state's chief civil rights enforcement officer, I've directed the Oregon Council on Civil Rights to develop recommendations and actionable, short- and long-term policy options to address the challenge. National Pay Equity day is a day to recognize that an unacceptable gap still exists, but also that Oregon stands ready to serve as a national model again to keep our state - and all of our citizens - moving ahead.

Enforcement tools alone will not end the cycle of disparity. We must work to build a stronger economy and highly skilled workforce so that all Oregonians enjoy access to economic opportunity and hope for a better life.

A good place to start is investing in career and technical education for students and young women in our middle schools and high schools. With smart, cost-effective programs, we can bring back the shop classes and vocational trainings that provide young women access to hands-on learning and skills development.

To rebuild our middle class and move our state forward, we need to break down barriers and provide economic opportunity for all Oregon citizens."

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The mission of the Bureau of Labor and Industries is to protect employment rights, advance employment opportunities, and ensure access to housing and public accommodations free from discrimination.


Charlie Burr
Communications Director
Bureau of Labor and Industries
800 NE Oregon St., Ste. 1045
Portland, OR 97232-2180
(971) 673-0788 wk.
(503) 913-5407 cell.

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