BOSTON – Today, Massachusetts Senate President Harriette Chandler (D-Worcester) appointed Senator Cindy Friedman (D-Arlington) and Senator Pat Jehlen (D-Somerville) to serve on the Pay Equity Special Commission. The special commission will investigate, analyze and study the factors, causes and impact of pay disparity, building on Senator Jehlen’s landmark equal pay legislation that was signed into law in 2016.
“There is still so much we need to learn about how the pay gap truly impacts Massachusetts families. We need to uncover why it impacts some professions so deeply. We must continue asking why tipped workers, homecare aides, early education and care professionals – industries with predominantly female workforces – are paid alarmingly low wages,” said Senator Jehlen. “I am grateful to Senate President Chandler for appointing me to this commission, and look forward to continuing our search for solutions that close the gender wage gap in all sectors of the Massachusetts workforce.”
“I’m humbled and honored to be appointed to this commission by Senate President Chandler and am eager to work with the commission to address the wage gap and create equal opportunities for all workers in Massachusetts,” said Senator Friedman. “While we’ve made strides in our state in recent years to close the wage gap, there is still so much to be done. The persistent gender wage gap continues to impact the livelihood of many women, especially women of color, placing an enormous strain on families across the Commonwealth. My hope is that the work of this commission will get us one step closer to closing the pay gap and finally leveling the playing field for all workers in our state.”