Advocate Stories, Policy Updates
Support and Prioritize H.3615 Act to Establish Pay Equity
by Megan Plassmeyer on Feb 25, 2019
We’re running out of time to get H.3615, the Act to Establish Pay Equity, heard by members of the General and Family Laws subcommittee of House Judiciary. Help us mobilize this bill by writing a letter today! Here are letter templates you utilize.
First, join us in asking your legislator to schedule a hearing for H.3615, the Act to Establish Pay Equity.
Sample Pay Equity Support Letter:
Date
The Honorable (Your Lawmaker)
512 Blatt Bldg.
Columbia, SC 29201
Dear Representative (Your Lawmaker):
My name is [insert name] and I am a [insert job position; ex. Teacher, nurse, doctor, medical provider] who [has been/who is] directly affected by the current wage gap in South Carolina, which is why I urge you to schedule a hearing for H.3615, a bill that would work to ensure that pay for all South Carolina employees will be based on factors such as skill, effort, and responsibility; ban the use of salary history; and provide pay transparency without retaliation.
Or
As a [community member/constituent] and someone closely affected by pay inequality, I urge you to schedule a hearing for H.3615, a bill that would work to ensure that pay for all South Carolina employees will be based on factors such as skill, effort, and responsibility; ban the use of salary history; and provide pay transparency without retaliation.
Insert your personal story and inform your legislator as to why this bill matters to you.
- Things to consider: how has any of these components (salary history, lack of pay transparency, discrimination) harmed you during the job process, during negotiations, or even after you’ve received an offer?
- Use this opportunity to relate this bill home and what it would mean for you, your future, family, and friends. How has not having a pay equity bill harmed you and your opportunity for economic advancement?
- If you haven’t personally been affected, discuss why you personally value pay equity.
Currently, South Carolina has a larger wage gap than the national average, which is negatively affecting the economy and well-being of our state.
Include another fact or two from the “Pay Equity” factsheet.
Once “An Act to Establish Pay Equity” H.3615 comes up for debate, I encourage you to think about the health and economic well-being of our state and vote YES.
Sincerely,
(Name)
(Address)
Date
The Honorable (full name)
Columbia, SC 29201