NEWS RELEASE: Oregon Paycheck Fairness Act (HB 2007) passes key committee

[Burr, Charlie]

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For Immediate Release
May 20, 2015
CONTACT: Charlie Burr, (971) 673-0788 wk. or (503) 913-5407 mobile

Oregon Paycheck Fairness Act (HB 2007) passes key committee
Labor Commissioner Avakian praises equal pay effort that increases workplace transparency

Portland, OR-Labor Commissioner Brad Avakian today issued the following statement after the Senate Committee on Workforce passed HB 2007<https://olis.leg.state.or.us/liz/2015R1/Measures/Overview/HB2007>, an equal pay measure that prohibits retaliation against workers who discuss salary information with colleagues.

"Oregon's pay gap doesn't just hurt women and people of color, it hurts everyone.

By creating greater pay transparency, we can protect employees from retaliation and take an important step in the fight for equal pay. This measure advances employment opportunities for women and people of color in the workplace. That's good for individual workers, but also communities around the state.

I appreciate the hard work of supporters, coalition members and legislators in helping move this common sense measure forward."

Senate Majority Leader Diane Rosenbaum will carry the measure on the floor. The measure previously passed the House 34-24 after being championed by Rep. Jessica Vega Pederson and carried on the floor by Rep. Shemia Fagan.

A 2014 report by the Oregon Council on Civil Rights, Pay Inequality in Oregon<http://www.oregon.gov/boli/docs/Pay%20Inequality%20Oregon%20012314-Final.pdf>, recommended the measure as part of the larger effort to strengthen protections against pay discrimination. Organizations and individuals such as Family Forward Oregon, Lilly Ledbetter, AAUW and the Oregon Council on Civil Rights support the measure.

For more information about BOLI's efforts to support Oregon employers and protect Oregon's workforce, visit http://www.oregon.gov/BOLI.

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Charlie Burr
Communications Director
Oregon Bureau of Labor and Industries
800 NE Oregon Street, Suite 1045
Portland, Oregon  97232
Tel:  971-673-0788
Cell: 503-913-5407
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