Senate Passes Pay Discrimination Legislation

Today, the Senate passed pay discrimination legislation that is similar to a bill which the House passed earlier this month. The bill would change how pay disparity in the workplace is handled as well as allow for a new influx of frivolous lawsuits against employers. The House is expected to pass the Senate version and President Obama is expected to sign the legislation. The legislation seeks to restart the filing period for a discriminatory act each time a paycheck is issued and would expand the class of people able to bring claims against employers.  AGC opposes this legislation and is part of a coalition working against it. Like the House, the Senate did not follow the committee process on holding hearings and allowing further examination of the legislation.  The choice to bring labor bills immediately to the floor is a strong indication of the approach that Congress is going to take on labor issues in the next two years.  AGC will continue efforts to monitor labor bills and keep AGC members informed.