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Archived News Release--Caution:
information may be out of date.
For more information call: 202/219-8211
Today, the U.S. Department of Labor's Employment Standards
Administration (ESA) announces plans to expand its Memorandum of Understanding
(MOU) with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) to address pay
discrimination issues. The announcement was made by Vice President Al Gore
during a White House ceremony to observe "Equal Pay Day."
Secretary Alexis M. Herman, who noted that "today women
still earn 26 percent less, on average, than men," added that "The proposed
changes to the Memorandum of Understanding will help ensure that the pay gap
between women and men is eliminated."
Under the proposed changes which the two agencies intend to
implement by the end of this fiscal year, there would be a sharing of data and
cross-training of staff regarding sensitivity to potential violations of the
statutes, including the Equal Pay Act, federal child labor laws and
anti-discrimination and affirmative provisions of Executive Order 11246.
Also, EEOC and the Department's Office of Federal Contract
Compliance Programs (OFCCP) announced their commitment to coordinate an
arrangement whereby OFCCP would serve as EEOC's agent for purposes of seeking
damages that are not otherwise available through OFCCP, including those for
intentional discrimination.
Additionally, as part of its technical assistance outreach,
OFCCP will publicize Federal contractor best practices tips and guidance on
analyzing compensation data on the agency's web site.
"It is imperative that as our nation enters the 21st
century, we do so in a spirit of equal pay for women and men. We in the Labor
Department are committed to be leaders in this area," Secretary Herman
added.
Deputy Assistant Secretary Shirley J. Wilcher, who heads
OFCCP, commended Vice President Al Gore and Secretary Alexis M. Herman for the
Department's pay initiatives. She added, "Providing more accessible wage
information and sharing the best practices tips and should encourage awareness
and greater voluntary compliance, especially for the small federal contractor."
OFCCP is part of the Department of Labor's Employment
Standards Administration. It enforces Executive Order 11246 and other statutes
requiring federal contractors to ensure equal employment opportunity in the
workplace without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin,
disability or veteran status.
Archived News Release--Caution:
information may be out of date.
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