SCHWARZENEGGER STRIKES DOWN GREATER PROTECTIONS FOR WOMEN
November 21, 2005

With a stroke of his veto pen, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger struck down a bill to stiffen penalties against California employers who pay a woman less just because she’s a woman.

The bill, passed Aug. 31 by the California Legislature was vetoed Sept. 29 by Schwarzenegger.

Although existing state law generally prohibits employers from paying less to a woman when she is performing equal work on jobs requiring equal skill, effort and responsibility, AB 169 would have significantly increased the damages an aggrieved employee could obtain if successful in bringing a civil action against an employer who has violated the law.

Recent statistics show pay inequities are still prevalent in California and the nation. According to the US Census Bureau, in 2002, American women working full-time year-round earned on average only 76 cents for every dollar earned by full-time working American men. The Women Employed Institute says that despite gains in education and employment experience, women continue to earn less than men doing the same work in nearly every occupational category from entry level clerical positions to management.

AB 169 followed on the heels of AB 2317, a similar measure that was passed by the California Legislature last year but vetoed by Schwarzenegger.