WASHINGTON, DC - Service Employees International Union (SEIU) International President Mary Kay Henry issued the following after Senate Republicans blocked the Paycheck Fairness Act" this afternoon:

"SEIU is committed to ending wage discrimination against women. Yet,some Republicans in the Senate believe that the status quo - wherewomen earn 78 cents for every dollar paid to men for the same work -is acceptable.

"Congress took an important step by passing the Lilly Ledbetter FairPay Act of 2009, but it is just one of many tools needed to addressunfair wage disparities. Ensuring that women receive equal pay forequal work is critical to stimulating the economy and promotingeconomic self-sufficiency for women and their families. It isunconscionable that Senators could vote against this commonsenselegislation.

"The Paycheck Fairness Act would help better address the problem ofwage discrimination and eliminate loopholes that have undermined theEqual Pay Act's effectiveness. Politics aside, it is inexcusable thatin 2012 that we are even debating whether women should take home equalpay as men. It's time for Congress to continue its efforts to makereal progress on fair pay."

With 2.1 million members in Canada, the United States and Puerto Rico,SEIU is the fastest-growing union in the Americas. Focused on unitingworkers in healthcare, public services and property services, SEIUmembers are winning better wages, healthcare and more secure jobs forour communities, while uniting their strength with their counterpartsaround the world to help ensure that workers--not just corporations andCEOs--benefit from today's global economy.www.seiu.org

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