Are black women MIA in the equal pay debate?

[DonViejo]

BY MARJORIE VALBRUN

Black women are among the lowest paid workers in the United States. In many professions they’re near the bottom of the pay scale. They earn less than white men – on average just 64 cents for every dollar paid to white men – and less than women overall, who earn on average 77 cents for every dollar earned by white men. And despite far outnumbering black men in the labor market, black women also earn less than their low-wage male counterparts.

Nevertheless, African-American women are heads of households in larger numbers than any other group. Some 4,078,457 U.S. households are headed by black women, and 38.1 percent, or 1,553,892, of those families live below the poverty level, according to the National Partnership for Women and Families. An analysis by the organization using U.S. Census Bureau figures clearly indicates that black women are holding down jobs that don’t pay them enough to adequately support their families. Many of these women work in low-wage service industry jobs. Even in black households headed by two married parents, more than 50 percent of married mothers bring in half or more than half of their families’ income, the analysis found.

These numbers have far-reaching implications for black families, according to an issue brief, “How pay in equity hurts women of color,” prepared by the Center for American Progress. Closing the wage gap is key to reducing poverty among women of color, including Hispanic women who earn 54 cents for every dollar earned by white men – and their families. Yet when it comes to policy debates about fair pay and gender gaps, income inequality and growing poverty, black women don’t appear to be visibly out front in large numbers on these important issues.

It’s unclear if they’re choosing not to lead the charge, or if they’re being ignored by the media or drowned out by louder factions in the pitched political battles over fair pay. Some may simply be too busy working and others may fear losing their jobs in a tight labor market.

more
http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/she-the-people/wp/2014/05/16/are-black-women-mia-in-the-equal-pay-debate/

[Teamster Jeff]

1. Black women union members do much better

In particular, black women in the U.S. have maintained a higher rate of unionization than other groups. In addition, black women who are covered under collective bargaining agreements make higher wages and have greater access to benefits than women of all races or ethnicities who are not unionized.

http://ncbcp.org/news/releases/BWR.Final_Black_Women_in_the_US_2014Report.pdf

[LittleBlue]

2. No wonder the 1% want to destroy unions

It's the only way to get reasonable pay and benefits.

[Teamster Jeff]

3. Yep. Specifically attacks on teachers and nurses