“Governor Roy Cooper made a meaningful advance for fair pay today with his Executive Order prohibiting the use of salary history in setting wages for women working for the state. We commend the Governor for taking this action, which is especially significant on Equal Pay Day – the day that marks how long women in the United States must work in 2019 to catch up to what men were typically paid in 2018.

“In our country today, on average women who work full time, year-round are paid just 80 cents for every dollar paid to men; and mothers are paid an average of just 71 cents to a white dad’s dollar. In North Carolina, women on average also earn just 80 cents. Nationally and in our state, the wage gap is even more punitive for women and moms of color, who must work even longer into 2019 to be paid what white, non-Hispanic men were paid in 2018. On average, Hispanic women in North Carolina are paid just 48 cents, Black and Native American women only 62 cents, and Asian/ Pacific Islander women only 81 cents. The situation is intolerable, and it is costing us dearly.

“When employers rely on salary history to set pay for new hires, they perpetuate gender- and race-based disparities in their workforce. Using prior wage history compounds unfair pay over time, takes money out of women’s pockets and out of our state’s economy, and increases poverty. The time for change is now. That is why 13 states and 10 cities have passed pay history prohibitions – an important tool in combating discrimination in pay. We are thrilled that North Carolina will do the same for its state workforce. Our state will be stronger and more fair as a result.”