Equal pay legislation advances to House

• By MICHELLE MILLHOLLON
• Advocate Capitol News Bureau
• Published: May 14, 2009

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A House committee advanced legislation Wednesday that would create the “Louisiana Equal Pay for Women Act.”

Opponents to House Bill 705 warned the House Committee on Labor and Industrial Relations the legislation would subject businesses to increased legal expenses.

“The legislation will significantly increase the number of lawsuits,” said Jim Patterson, a lobbyist for the Louisiana Association of Business and Industry.

The bill’s sponsor, state Rep. Barbara Norton, said the bill is about fairness.

“We’ll make a difference for the rest of our lives,” she said.

Norton, D-Shreveport, said Louisiana is regressing in the difference in pay between men and women.

She said women in Louisiana make 65 cents to every man’s dollar compared to the 68 cents to every man’s dollar that they used to make.

“I feel like an injustice has been done,” she said.

The bill would make it unlawful for employers to pay workers of the opposite sex differently when their work is substantially similar.

Exceptions would be made for a seniority or merit pay system.

Employers who violate the law would be liable for unpaid wages and other damages.

Attorney Randolph A. Piedrahita said the bill affects blue and white collar workers.

He said the bill would give employees a voice when they are treated unfairly.