From: Nita and Shaunna, Ultraviolet

Dear Readers,

BREAKING: Macy’s responded to our campaign calling out their attack on an equal pay bill in Texas–by claiming that the bill is unnecessary.1

We know that Macy’s is feeling the heat from our actions, but it’s clear that we need to amp up our campaign and make sure they know that we’re not buying their excuses–or their merchandise–unless they publicly pledge to never block equal pay legislation again.

We’re planning a big delivery next week. But for a super-size store like Macy’s, we want to make sure we have a super-size petition.

Can you add your name right away and let Macy’s know that blocking equal pay is bad for business?
http://act.weareultraviolet.org/go/1020?t=1&akid=575.6000.CbILmA

Thanks for speaking out,

Nita, Shaunna, Kat, Malinda, and Karin, the Ultraviolet team

Sources:

1. Macy’s Convinces Rick Perry That Women Don’t Need Equal Pay, Jezebel, August 20, 2013
http://act.weareultraviolet.org/go/1045?t=2&akid=575.6000.CbILmA

P.S. Here’s the original email about Macy’s asking Governor Rick Perry to veto a popular equal pay bill in Texas.

—prior msg;——-

Macy’s just blocked a bill that would help stop wage discrimination in Texas. Can you sign the petition to tell Macy’s to stop blocking equal pay?

Visit Here; http://act.weareultraviolet.org/go/1020?t=4&akid=575.6000.CbILmA

Dear Readers,

Have you ever shopped at a Macy’s department store? If you have, you’ve unfortunately helped fund discrimination against women.

Here’s the story: Macy’s recently played a key role in defeating an important equal pay bill in Texas.1 The bill would have given employees who are discriminated against more time to sue in state court. Without this law, women who are paid less simply because of their gender could miss their chance to get justice before they even find out that they were discriminated against.2

The bill passed the Texas legislature with strong bipartisan support, but Governor Rick Perry vetoed it last month at Macy’s request.3

Wage discrimination is a major problem in America, costing women and their families an average of $431,000 over their careers.4 Macy’s is in the middle of a big back-to-school marketing campaign right now, aimed largely at moms.5 The last thing they need right now is controversy over equal pay–an issue women all over the country care a lot about. If we all speak out now, we can generate enough media attention to pressure them to retract their opposition and pledge to support equal pay legislation–in Texas and nationally–going forward. Can you sign the petition?

Tell Macy’s: Stop blocking equal pay for equal work.
http://act.weareultraviolet.org/go/1020?t=5&akid=575.6000.CbILmA

The wage gap between men and women has remained stagnant for decades. The average, full-time working woman in this country earns $0.77 for every dollar a man makes. For women of color, it’s even worse–for African American women it’s only $0.64 and for Latina women it’s $0.55. The gender wage gap means lost wages of $10,000 per year for an average woman–or $431,000 over her lifetime.6

And it doesn’t just affect women–it hurts entire families who are struggling to make ends meet. $431,000 could cover a lot of mortgage payments, groceries, doctor’s appointments, or college tuition payments.7 But Congress is stalled on the Fair Pay Act, which would help finally close the gender wage gap, and the last thing we need when it finally comes up for a vote is big companies like Macy’s stepping in to oppose it.

The Texas bill mirrors the federal Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act and would give Texas women who are paid less because of their gender the right to sue in state courts for 180 days after a discriminatory paycheck.8 The protections in federal law don’t extend to the state courts–which are often closer and more affordable for victims to access than federal courts.9 For a woman who’s already lost income due to wage discrimination, access to state courts is critical. But according to Macy’s letter to Gov. Perry, this important protection for women is “unnecessary.”10

Macy’s should be supporting, not blocking equal pay–especially if they want to woo women as customers. If we all speak out now, we can generate enough bad press to make sure they get the message. Can you sign?

Add your name.
http://act.weareultraviolet.org/go/1020?t=6&akid=575.6000.CbILmA

Thanks for speaking out,

Nita, Shaunna, Kat, Malinda, and Karin, the Ultraviolet team

Sources:

1. You Really Shouldn’t Shop There: The Businesses That Told Perry to Veto Equal Pay, Burnt Orange Report, August 7, 2013

2. Perry vetoed wage bill after getting letters from retailers, Houston Chronicle, August 5, 2013

3. Ibid.

4. Facts: Women and the Wage Gap, National Partnership for Women & Families

5. Macy’s Back to School campaign, Macys.com

6. Facts: Women and the Wage Gap, National Partnership for Women & Families

7. How the Wage Gap Hurts Women and Families, National Women’s Law Center, April 3, 2013

8. Perry vetoed wage bill after getting letters from retailers, Houston Chronicle, August 5, 2013

9. You Really Shouldn’t Shop There: The Businesses That Told Perry to Veto Equal Pay, Burnt Orange Report, August 7, 2013

10. Perry vetoed wage bill after getting letters from retailers, Houston Chronicle, August 5, 2013

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Want to support our work? UltraViolet is funded by members like you, and our tiny staff ensures small contributions go a long way. Chip in here.
https://weareultraviolet.actionkit.com/donate/donate?akid=575.6000.CbILmA

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