Received this e-mail today from Gretch Whitmer’s (D. MI) gubernatorial campaign:
Today is Equal Pay Day, a day that symbolizes how far into the year women must work just to catch up with what men were paid last year for the same job.
The wage gap is often framed as a women’s issue, when in reality it’s an economic issue that hurts all working families. Because of the gender wage gap, families lose tens of thousands of dollars a year.
That’s income that could be going toward a mortgage, retirement or saving up for their children’s college.
Women working full time in the United States are paid on average just 80 cents on the dollar of what men are paid. In Michigan, women earn just 74 cents to a man’s dollar. The pay gap is even worse for women of color, with black women earning 64 cents and Latinas earning 57 cents.
It's 2017, not 1917. It's long past time for women to be guaranteed equal pay for equal work.
If you’re with me, add your name to our petition today demanding our Legislature pass measures to close the wage gap.
Join me and let’s work to level the playing field so working families in Michigan can thrive. If you work hard and play by the rules, you should have the opportunity to succeed and create a better life for your kids.
The deck has been stacked against our workers for far too long, and if you agree, sign our petition demanding that Michigan implement equal pay for equal work measures.
This is not just a women’s issue, it’s an economic issue. Let's treat it like one.
Thank you,
Gretchen Whitmer
Click here to add your name.