Support and Prioritize The Act to Establish Pay Equity (H.3183 & S.514)
by WREN Staff on Jan 14, 2022
As the second half of the 2021-2022 South Carolina Legislative Session kicks off, we must continue our push for comprehensive Pay Equity legislation. We need you to mobilize in support of the SC Act to Establish Pay Equity (H.3183 & S.514) by pushing legislators to vote yes and sign on as co-sponsors of this bipartisan bill.
The SC Act to Establish Pay Equity (H.3183 & S.514) is a bill that has bipartisan support and would ensure that employee pay is based on factors such as skill, effort, and responsibility. It bans the use of salary history and provides pay transparency without retaliation.
Help us mobilize in support of this critical legislation by writing a letter to your elected officials today! You can use the letter template below as a guide.
Since there are two versions of this bill, one in the House and one in the Senate, we encourage you to write two letters: one to your SC Senator, and one to your SC House Representative. You can find your legislators along with their contact information here.
Sample Pay Equity Support Letter:
Date
The Honorable________ (Your Senator/Representative’s full name)
Their Office Address
Columbia, SC 29201
Dear Senator/Representative (Your Lawmaker’s Last Name):
First, Introduce Yourself:
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 support [(H.3183 if to your Representative)/ (S.514 if to your Senator)], 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 support [(H.3183 if to your Representative)/ (S.514 if to your Senator)], 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.
Next, insert your personal story and inform your legislator as to why this bill matters to you:
- Things to consider: how have 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.
Next, include another fact or two from the “Pay Equity” factsheet. Some examples are:
- Currently, South Carolina has a larger wage gap than the national average, which is negatively affecting the economy and well-being of our state.
- Black women earn 57.5 cents on every dollar earned by white men in South Carolina. Overall the average woman earns 77 cents on every dollar earned by white men.
- Studies show that increased pay transparency creates work environments where employees are more likely to believe they are paid fairly, and thus are more engaged and productive.
- Eradicating gender and racial wage gaps would equate to greater economic empowerment for women, more economic stability and mobility for families, and the economic growth of our state.
Close the letter by re-stating your request:
I write you today to ask that you would show your support by signing on as a co-sponsor for the bill, and to ask that you show your support and vote YES on [(H.3183 if to your Representative)/ (S.514 if to your Senator)] when it comes to a vote in the [House/Senate].
Sincerely,
(Your Name)
(Your Address)
As always, if you have any questions or need any support when composing your letters, please reach out to us at info@scwren.org.