The choice for working people

by: Clem Guttata

Tue Apr 29, 2008 at 16:29:23 PM EDT

As the former chairwoman of the Equal Pay Commission, I know that West Virginia is no different in the fact that women's wages are lower than those of men. Our task was to try to equalize salaries in state government to those on the lowest rungs of the pay scale - mostly women.

We have come a long way in the fight to ensure that all workers get a fair chance to succeed. However, women today still make only 77 cents for every dollar men do for equal work, causing America's working families to lose an average of $4,000 per year. While the cost of living continues to rise, the consequences of unequal pay for equal work are putting a heavy burden on West Virginia families. We cannot continue to shortchange working women and their families.

Hillary understands how important pay equity and good treatment of workers is to our country's prosperity, stability and security. She led efforts in the Senate to strengthen equal-pay laws and end pay disparity. She knows what families go through just to make ends meet, and has been a loyal advocate of helping hardworking Americans get ahead.

In the Senate, Hillary has advocated fairness in the workplace and investment in our work force. She fought for bargaining rights for public servants such as firefighters and police officers, and spearheaded initiatives to help veterans get good jobs after their military service.

As president, Clinton will continue fighting for working families by championing equal pay rights, creating jobs that can't be outsourced, supporting trade deals that are pro-worker, and investing in high wage jobs with a future.

What strikes me most about the op-ed is how effectively it provides a positive rationale for voting for Democrats in November. This piece could just as easily apply to either candidate as a positive comparison to McCain in the fall. It also a powerful remind why we need to increase our majority in Congress.