Sen. Miramant introduces bill to reduce pay inequality

Posted: February 21, 2019 | Labor and Housing, Senator Miramant

AUGUSTA —Sen. Dave Miramant, D-Camden, introduced a bill to ensure pay transparency and address racial and gender inequalities in wages. The bill, LD 480, “An Act to Ensure Pay Transparency and Reduce Gender and Racial Wage Inequities,” received a public hearing before the Legislature’s Labor and Housing Committee on Wednesday.

“In my former career as a pilot for Delta Air Lines, I was proud that our union made wages contingent upon position and years of service. I want every person to experience that equality,” said Sen. Miramant. “This bill will help provide us with the data we need to evaluate our progress toward equal pay. I believe no disparity in wages will survive the spotlight this bill will bring.”

Sen. Miramant’s bill would require that certain employers, including state agencies, file reports with the Maine Human Rights Commission. The reports must include a simple calculation of the median annual wage for employees broken down by gender and race/ethnicity within different job categories. There is also a requirement for wage transparency.

LD 480 will progress to a work session in the Labor and Housing Committee before votes in the Maine House and Senate.