National Pay Equity Day Features "Unhappy Hour" Event

Modified: April 8, 2016 10:35am

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Date: 
4/8/16

Erie County seal

EC Commission on the Status of Women Spotlights Income Disparity Between Genders 

ERIE COUNTY, NY— The Erie County Commission on the Status of Women (“ECCSW”) has announced that it will present an “Unhappy Hour” in honor of Pay Equity Day on Tuesday, April 12, 2016 at 5:30 pm at Big Ditch Brewing Company. In 2014, women earned only 78% of what men earned for similar work; National Equal Pay Day is a date that symbolizes how far into 2016 women must work to earn what men earned in 2015.

“The time for pay equity between genders is long past but we are continuing the fight in Erie County, and I encourage both women and men to participate in this event and learn what they can do to promote this overdue change,” said Erie County Executive Mark C. Poloncarz. “It is a disgrace that in 2016, women are still only earning roughly three- quarters as much as their male counterparts. Women are essential and irreplaceable parts of our workforce and we must end wage discrimination against them.”

The purpose of this “Unhappy” Hour is to raise awareness on the issue of pay equity and to celebrate the progress accomplished in New York State through collaborative advocacy efforts. The event is an informal networking opportunity for women and men who care about equity for women and want to demonstrate support for their wives, mothers, and daughters.

ECCSW Chair Beth Curtis added, “I have personally experienced gender based wage discrimination, but I didn't realize it until years later.  This is why getting the word out about pay equity is so important to me. There are women out there who don't even know this is happening to them.”

This event is FREE and open to anyone over the age of 21. Groups that serve women and girls are encouraged to attend and bring literature from their organization. Women will enjoy discounted drinks, representing the disparity in pay between genders. All attendees who wear red, the color of pay Equity, will be entered into a special door prize drawing. Reservations can be made at http://bit.ly/1U4capO.   

Unhappy Hour is made possible by the collaboration of the ECCSW, American Association of University Women, the Junior League of Buffalo, WNY Women’s Foundation, StaffBuffalo, LLC, and Big Ditch Brewing Co. 

“Unhappy Hour” in honor of Pay Equity Day starts at 5:30 p.m., Tuesday April 12, 2016 at Big Ditch Brewing Company, 55 E. Huron Street, Buffalo NY.