Pay Equity Bill Placed on Senate Agenda

STATE HOUSE NEWS SERVICE -- State senators have until 5 p.m. on Monday to file amendments to pay equity legislation that is set to hit the floor next week. The latest version of the bill (S 2107) was recommended by Sen. Karen Spilka and the Ways and Means Committee that she chairs. The Senate adopted an order Thursday morning teeing the bill up for consideration next week. Among its many provisions, the bill defines "comparable work" within the Massachusetts Equal Pay Act, increases the fine for pay equity violations from $100 to $1,000, and requires employers to post a notice to employees of their rights under the act. The bill also bans employers from reducing the pay of an employee to comply with the act, clarifies that the attorney general may bring an action to collect unpaid wages on behalf of one or more employees, and adds four conditions, in addition to seniority, where variations in pay may exist for comparable work, according to a bill summary. - Michael Norton/SHNS