Representative Dykema Votes for Equal Pay for Women

From Massachusetts House of Representatives:

Representative Carolyn Dykema (D-Holliston) joined her colleagues in the Massachusetts House of Representatives to unanimously pass an act to establish pay equity, landmark legislation establishing equal pay for working women.

S.2119, which Representative Dykema cosponsored in its initial House form, prohibits wage discrimination on the basis of gender. The bill prohibits employers from reducing salaries to comply with the law and protects employees’ right to discuss their salaries with one another, while still allowing for differential pay based on reasonable, non-gender-based criteria. The bill is supported by many labor and women’s advocacy organizations as well as the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce and the Associated Industries of Massachusetts.

“I am proud to cast this vote not just for working moms like myself but for my daughter’s future as well,” said Rep. Dykema. “Equal pay legislation is a major victory, not just for women, but for all employees who deserve to be compensated fairly for the work they do.”

The bill, having passed the Senate in a similar version, will now be sent to the governor for his signature. The House also approved a late supplemental budget for FY16 and reviewed several of the governor’s non-monetary amendments to the final FY17 budget in formal session on Thursday.