NEWS RELEASE: Avakian praises passage of equal pay and wage theft priority bills

[Bontecou, Jesse]

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 28, 2015
CONTACT:        Charlie Burr, BOLI, (971) 673-0788<tel:%28971%29%20673-0788> wk., (503) 913-5407<tel:%28503%29%20913-5407> cell.

Commissioner Avakian praises passage of equal pay and wage theft priority bills

PORTLAND, OR-Oregon Labor Commissioner Brad Avakian praised today's passage of SB 468<https://olis.leg.state.or.us/liz/2015R1/Measures/Overview/SB468> (Garnishment) and HB 2007<https://olis.leg.state.or.us/liz/2015R1/Measures/Overview/HB2007> (Paycheck Fairness Act), two priority measures to strengthen protections for Oregon's workforce. Both bills will now head to the Governor's office for consideration.

Statement on SB 468 on the measure's passage in the House:

"This measure will create new tools to help workers get paid what they've earned. That's a win for individual employees, but also the vast majority of law abiding businesses that deserve a level playing field on which to compete. Businesses shouldn't gain unfair advantage by short-changing workers and attempting to avoid their obligations."

Statement on HB 2007 after its Senate passage:

"Today's action is an important step toward equal pay and fairness in the workplace. Oregon doesn't have to accept pay inequality or the wage gap that hurts women, people of color and communities around the state. I appreciate the hard work of legislators, coalition partners and advocates like Lilly Ledbetter who've been fighting for fair pay and greater transparency."

Women in Oregon earn only 79 cents for every dollar earned by their male counterparts, according to the Oregon Council on Civil Rights. In its report, Pay Inequality in Oregon, the council called for a series of measures to address Oregon's pay gap, including a Paycheck Fairness Act for Oregon.

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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<tel:971-673-0788>
Cell: 503-913-5407<tel:503-913-5407>

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