As prosecutor Marilyn Mosby announced that six Baltimore police officers have been charged in the death of Freddie Gray, protesters cheered. Their demands have been heard, and their direct action has made a difference.
But Mosby’s announcement is just the beginning. That’s why marches and demonstrations, in Baltimore and across the country, will continue.
Equal Pay Day came and went this week but pay equity is a stubborn problem that demands our attention beyond a symbolic day on the calendar.
We must continue the dialogue.
As I began to draft a blog post on Equal Pay Day the new Rhianna song “ Bitch Better Have My Money” began playing on my Pandora station. Equal Pay Day is the date that symbolizes how far into the year women must work to earn what men earned in the previous year. I immediately found myself nodding to the Kanye West-produced track and loving the sound of Rhianna’s Bajan accent screaming over the huge beat. By the time the chorus came through my speakers I was beginning to feel guilty for enjoying the song so much.
With a 40+ year history of winning justice for working women (and all families) it was obvious where I wanted to put my time in. As it states in their brochure, “if you are feisty, feel empowered (or want to be), fed up, or all three” then you should join up.
The court’s decision tells employers that if they are providing accommodations for most non-pregnant workers who have injuries or disabilities, while refusing to accommodate most pregnant workers who need it, they are likely violating the Pregnancy Discrimination Act by placing a significant burden on pregnant workers. The decision represents important progress for pregnant workers.
As a result of 9to5’s tenacious organizing efforts the city of Atlanta became the first city in Georgia to Ban the Box! An African proverb states “if you want to go fast go alone, if you want to go far go together”.
Today, U.S. Senator Barbara A. Mikulski (D-Md.) and Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (D-Conn.) reintroduced the Paycheck Fairness Act, legislation which would help close the wage gap between women and men working the same jobs. Now is Congress’ chance to do the right thing by passing the bill.
I can never forget how I felt walking across the Edmund Pettus Bridge March 8. I was filled with so many emotions. I cried. I chanted to the top of my lungs. I could feel the spirits of the elders who travel across this same bridge.
As President Obama noted in his State of the Union address, the U.S. is “the only advanced country on Earth that doesn’t guarantee paid sick leave or paid maternity leave to our workers.” In fact, only one other nation – Papua New Guinea – stands with us on this particularly embarrassing list.
Join us during membership drive, a national campaign uniting 9to5 members from coast to coast as we build our power to win the policies and workplace changes we need!
