Friedman

State Senate President Harriette Chandler has appointed Sens. Cindy Friedman, Democrat of Arlington, and Pat Jehlen, Democrat of Somerville, to serve on the Pay Equity Special Commission. The board aims to investigate, analyze and study the factors, causes and impact of pay disparity, building on Jehlen’s equal-pay legislation, which became law in 2016.

“There is still so much we need to learn about how the pay gap truly impacts Massachusetts families,” Jehlen said in a June 8 news release. “We need to uncover why it impacts some professions so deeply. We must continue asking why tipped workers, home-care aides, early education and care professionals -- industries with predominantly female work forces -- are paid alarmingly low wages.”

Friedman said: “I’m humbled and honored to be appointed to this commission by Senate President Chandler and am eager to work with the commission to address the wage gap and create equal opportunities for all workers in Massachusetts. While we’ve made strides in our state in recent years to close the wage gap, there is still so much to be done.

“The persistent gender wage gap continues to impact the livelihood of many women, especially women of color, placing an enormous strain on families across the Commonwealth. My hope is that the work of this commission will get us one step closer to closing the pay gap and finally leveling the playing field for all workers in our state.”

This news announcement was published Sunday, June 10, 2018.