ST. PAUL, MN – Today state lawmakers in the Minnesota House of Representatives are expected to pass the Women’s Economic Security Act (WESA), a major milestone toward signing into law new measures to close the gender pay gap, strengthen workplace protections and flexibility for pregnant mothers and expand employment opportunities for women in high-wage, high-demand professions
At a news conference on the steps of the state capitol before today’s vote, House and Senate lawmakers gathered with Minnesotans of all ages and backgrounds to declare that progress is just around the corner on an issue they say has put a drag on the state’s economy, and the well-being of Minnesota’s working families, for far too long.
“Women on average earn 80 cents to the dollar that men earn and in Greater Minnesota women earn even less,” said State Representative Carly Melin (DFL – Hibbing), chief author of the House omnibus bill. “The bill we’re voting on today is about strengthening working families – because when women have equal opportunities to succeed, it means stronger families, stronger communities and a brighter future for our state.”
"While Minnesota's economy continues to grow, progress for women's economic prosperity has lagged woefully behind,” said Senator Sandy Pappas (DFL – St. Paul), chief author of the Senate omnibus bill. “The WESA package will move us in the right direction and ensure women finally receive equal pay for equal work, that we don't face discrimination for being mothers, and that we are treated fairly in the workplace.”
Debra Fitzpatrick, Director of the Center on Women and Public Policy at the Humphrey Institute of Public Affairs, says the gender pay gap has been stalled at 20 percent for the past decade, robbing each Minnesota woman and her family of almost a half a million dollars during their career.
“That isn't going to change without a comprehensive, research-based approach like the Women's Economic Security Act," said Fitzpatrick.
Danielle Hans, a young woman from Minneapolis who spoke at the event, said the Women’s Economic Security Act would clear the way for these systematically disadvantaged women and families to finally be granted their economic right to equity.
“Please, let’s show all women and the nation that it does not have to be an economic disadvantage to be born a woman,” said Hans.
The omnibus bill up for a vote in the House today would:
Allow mothers to stay in the workforce by expanding family leave and providing reasonable accommodations for pregnant and nursing employees
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HF 2371 (Kahn): Expands unpaid leave under the Minnesota Parental Leave Act from 6 to 12 weeks and allows use of leave under the Parental Leave Act for pregnancy-related needs. It also requires employers with more than 21 employees to provide reasonable minor accommodations (seating, limits to heavy lifting) for pregnant workers.
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HF 2259 (Yarusso): Provides enforcement of workplace protections for nursing mothers to express breast milk during unpaid break times.
Expand access to high-quality, affordable childcare
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Removes the $5,000 cap on early learning scholarships.
Decrease the gender pay gap through the participation of women in high-wage, high-demand nontraditional work
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HF 2291 (Morgan): Expands support for employers; workforce organizations; and others to recruit, prepare, place and retain women in nontraditional occupations and apprenticeships, especially low income and older women.
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HF 2243 (Selcer): Supports the development of high economic impact women-owned businesses in nontraditional industries.
Reduce the gender pay gap through increased enforcement of equal pay laws for state contractors and by allowing employees to discuss pay inequities
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HF 2373 (Moran): Requires businesses with more than 50 employees seeking state contracts over $500,000 to ensure compliance with existing equal pay laws. Businesses must state that average compensation for female employees is not consistently below average compensation for male employees within similar major job categories.
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HF 2274 (Masin): Allows employees to voluntarily discuss their compensation without fear of retaliation from their employers.
Decrease the gender pay gap by providing equal employment opportunities for family caregivers and reducing the “motherhood penalty”
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HF 2300 (Melin): Requires equal employment treatment regardless of “family caregiver status” or “familial status.”
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HF 2461 (Lesch): Allows grandparents to use existing earned sick leave to care for an ill or injured grandchild.
Address economic consequences of domestic violence, stalking, and sexual assault
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HF 2366 (Rosenthal): Expands unemployment insurance eligibility currently available to victims of domestic violence to include victims of stalking and sexual assault.
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HF 2461 (Lesch): Allows employees to use existing earned sick leave to deal with sexual assault, domestic violence, or stalking.
Enhance retirement security by considering a state retirement savings plan for those without an employer-provided option
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HF 2419 (Fritz): Requires a report from Minnesota Management and Budget (MMB) on the potential for a state-administered plan for workers without access to workplace retirement savings plans; along with other alternative private sector options.