Groups working to end pay inequality

Equal Pay Day, March 14, symbolizes how far into the year women must work to earn what men earned in the previous year.
The National Committee on Pay Equity initiated the day in 1996 to illustrate the gap between men’s and women’s wages.
For almost two decades, the Junior League of Schenectady and Saratoga Counties (JLSS) and the New York State Public Affairs Committee of the Junior Leagues (NYSPAC) has worked to increase awareness of this issue and move it closer to Jan. 1.
Progress in closing the pay gap has slowed significantly, despite more women attending college — and pay for Black and Hispanic women lags even further behind, according to a recent Pew Research Center report.
Women made 65 cents for every dollar earned by men in 1982 and 80 cents on the dollar compared to men in 2002.
That increased just 2 cents over the next 20 years, to 82 cents in 2022.
The report blamed some of the plateau on economic forces, including the Great Recession — from which women’s employment was slower to recover — and the pandemic’s disproportionate impact on jobs held by women.
JLSS and NYSPAC have been working to address this issue by advocating for state legislation, including the Salary History Ban, which prohibits employers from requesting a job candidate’s prior salary when determining an offer of employment.
For over 90 years, the Junior League of Schenectady and Saratoga Counties has worked to improve the lives of women and children, including ensuring their financial security.
Denise Murphy McGraw
Niskayuna
The writer is president of the Junior League of Schenectady & Saratoga Counties.
Katelyn Galbraith
Malta
The writer is chairwoman of the New York State Public Affairs Committee of the Junior Leagues.

Proctors’ prices are hurting supporters

Until recently, one Heineken plus one 6-ounce glass of red wine mix was about $14 at Proctors.
At a recent matinee, exactly the same pair cost $20.52: $9 for beer and $10 and for bottom shelf, opened bottle, red wine mix.
These prices exceed costs at airports, on airplanes, at all local bars and pubs, and might be somewhat comparable at a few local higher-end restaurants where the selections are from considerably more reputable alcohol shelves.
I love Proctors and have been a joint series subscriber for several seasons. Proctors has contributed to Schenectady’s rebirth.
But the plain truth is that Phillip Morse and Proctors are hurting the very people who’ve helped them to be successful.
Rob Brown
Schenectady

Rules for commenting:

The Gazette will not tolerate name-calling; profanity, threats; accusations of racism, mental illness or intoxication; spreading of false or misleading information; libel or other inappropriate language in any form, and readers may not make any such comments about or directly to specific individuals.
Readers who violate the policy will be warned and then banned.

Categories: Letters to the Editor, Opinion, Opinion, Schenectady