Missouri Governor’s order calls for equal pay for men and women

Missouri Governor Jay Nixon announces that St. Louis-area building trades have committed to a 24-hour construction schedule without overtime to build stadium, during a press conference in St. Louis on February 19, 2015. Based on the agreed schedule of three, eight-hour shifts, five days a week, it is estimated that construction on the proposed riverfront stadium could be completed in two years and would save approximately $40 million in construction costs when compared to a work schedule of two ten-hour shifts. The redevelopment proposal, announced in January, calls for an open-air, 64,000-seat stadium on a 90-plus acre site on the edge of the Mississippi River for the St. Louis Rams to play their home games. Standing with Nixon is St. Louis Mayor Francis Slay (L) and St. Louis-area labor leaders. Photo by Bill Greenblatt/UPI — Governor Jay Nixon (photo credit Missourinet)

(Missourinet) – Governor Jay Nixon has signed an executive order to promote equal pay among genders. The order directs state agencies and strongly encourages the private sector to use preliminary guidelines by the Women’s Foundation and the University of Missouri Institute of Public Policy to identify and address any gender wage gap and provide Missourians with equal pay for equal work.

“We need to ensure that all Missourians are getting a fair shake and an equal opportunity to achieve the American Dream,” Gov. Nixon said. “Shortchanging 50 percent of the workforce is bad for women, it’s bad for families, and it’s bad for our entire economy. Equal work deserves equal pay – period. My executive order sends a strong message that Missouri intends to be a leader in creating an economy of opportunity that works for everyone.”

According to a study by the Mizzou Institute of Public Policy prepared for the Women’s Foundation, between 2008 and 2012, full-time, year-round female workers in Missouri earned 71% of men’s earnings.

“Governor Nixon’s leadership is bringing Missouri a step closer to equal pay for equal work,” said Wendy Doyle, President & CEO of the Women’s Foundation. “We commend the Governor for being a national leader in closing the gender pay gap, refusing to accept the status quo in Missouri, and creating economic opportunity for women and their families.”

A final report on the guidelines will be published in April.