Good morning Westfield. I would like to start this week by expressing my condolences for those affected by the recent events in France. Catastrophes like these are becoming all too common and must come to an end. As a community, we need to stand united in these times of distress. Hopefully, in the near future, through our efforts to promote safety as a nation and around the world, this repeated violence will end.
On a more positive note, during this week’s session the House passed S2119, An Act to establish pay equity. This bill passed unanimously, 158-0, and aims ensure that women receive equal pay for equal work in Massachusetts. It also modernizes the meaning of “comparable work” and explains what features can be used to determine salaries. Provisions of this bill would make it illegal for employers to prevent their employees from discussing their salaries, as well as make it illegal for employers from asking salary history during a job interview.
The bill also protects employers from equal pay lawsuits for three years if they complete self-evaluations as well as steps towards pay equity. Essentially this bill encompasses all components of the workforce so that everyone is protected and treated fairly for the work they produce.
The Senate passed their own version of the equal pay legislation back in January. With the passage of this bill in the House, it is on to House-Senate negotiators to reconcile the differences and produce the final version of the bill.
As the session draws near to the end, I have been very busy running from event to event and meeting to meeting. With the hectic chaos in mind, I do also believe it has been a very productive season to get many initiatives established as well as legislation thoroughly addressed
That is a wrap for this week folks! Be safe in the heat and enjoy the weekend Westfield! As always, please feel free to contact me with your questions, issues, or concerns at [email protected] or at my district office phone number, 413-572-3920.
