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While Ledbetter filed her charge within 180 days of receiving discriminatory pay, the court ruled that, since Ledbetter did not raise a claim within 180 days of the employer's decision to pay her less, she could not receive any relief.
This decision is really, really stupid. Every corporation from the 19 century forward has consciously determined to pay women less than they pay men. It's just not in writing in employment contracts or HR brochures. In fact, most new employees are told that it's a firing offense to discuss salaries with others. Following the SC's logic, a new woman employee would have to file a discrimination suit against their employer before she's been with the company for 6 months. And just how does one prove that discrimination exists if it's not in solid evidence, but is just recognized as the status quo?Our SCOTUS have become (since 2000) just another crowd of black-robed buffons masquerading as wise men and woman.
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Rep. George Miller| BIO | I'M A FAN OF THIS BLOGGER
Don't Let the Supreme Court's Discrimination Ruling Stand
Posted July 31, 2007 | 06:45 PM (EST)
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Read More: Breaking Politics News, George Miller
Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company recently sent Lilly Ledbetter a bill for $3,165.20.
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It wasn't because Ledbetter bought new tires for everyone in her neighborhood.
Ledbetter, who worked at a Goodyear facility in Alabama for 19 years, was the plaintiff in a pay discrimination lawsuit against the company. Ledbetter alleged - and a jury agreed - that Goodyear had paid her less than what her male counterparts were receiving, even though she had more experience than many of the men and had received positive performance evaluations.
But the five right-wing ideologues on the U.S. Supreme Court saw it differently. They sided with Goodyear in a sharply divided 5-4 decision. Now Goodyear wants $3,165.20 to cover court costs. A jury found that Goodyear spent nearly two decades shortchanging a good worker because she happened to be a woman, and now the company is hassling her for court costs.
What makes this so outrageous is why the Supreme Court sided with Goodyear - it wasn't because the court disputed the jury's finding that Ledbetter was the victim of pay discrimination. Rather, the court ruled that Ledbetter had waited too long to sue for pay discrimination, despite the fact that she filed a charge with the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission as soon as she received an anonymous note alerting her to pay discrimination.
While Ledbetter filed her charge within 180 days of receiving discriminatory pay, the court ruled that, since Ledbetter did not raise a claim within 180 days of the employer's decision to pay her less, she could not receive any relief.
The court said that, 181 days after a discriminatory pay decision, an employer can continue to pay an employee less because of the employee's race, sex, or religion - without any legal consequences.
Today, the House of Representatives voted to rectify the Supreme Court's flawed ruling. We can't keep Goodyear from forcing Lilly Ledbetter to pay the $3,165.20. But in Ledbetter's name, we must provide some measure of justice for workers who face discrimination in the future.
Don't Let the Supreme Court's Discrimination Ruling Stand
Posted July 31, 2007 | 06:45 PM (EST)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Read More: Breaking Politics News, George Miller
Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company recently sent Lilly Ledbetter a bill for $3,165.20.
Comment
It wasn't because Ledbetter bought new tires for everyone in her neighborhood.
Ledbetter, who worked at a Goodyear facility in Alabama for 19 years, was the plaintiff in a pay discrimination lawsuit against the company. Ledbetter alleged - and a jury agreed - that Goodyear had paid her less than what her male counterparts were receiving, even though she had more experience than many of the men and had received positive performance evaluations.
But the five right-wing ideologues on the U.S. Supreme Court saw it differently. They sided with Goodyear in a sharply divided 5-4 decision. Now Goodyear wants $3,165.20 to cover court costs. A jury found that Goodyear spent nearly two decades shortchanging a good worker because she happened to be a woman, and now the company is hassling her for court costs.
What makes this so outrageous is why the Supreme Court sided with Goodyear - it wasn't because the court disputed the jury's finding that Ledbetter was the victim of pay discrimination. Rather, the court ruled that Ledbetter had waited too long to sue for pay discrimination, despite the fact that she filed a charge with the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission as soon as she received an anonymous note alerting her to pay discrimination.
While Ledbetter filed her charge within 180 days of receiving discriminatory pay, the court ruled that, since Ledbetter did not raise a claim within 180 days of the employer's decision to pay her less, she could not receive any relief.
The court said that, 181 days after a discriminatory pay decision, an employer can continue to pay an employee less because of the employee's race, sex, or religion - without any legal consequences.
Today, the House of Representatives voted to rectify the Supreme Court's flawed ruling. We can't keep Goodyear from forcing Lilly Ledbetter to pay the $3,165.20. But in Ledbetter's name, we must provide some measure of justice for workers who face discrimination in the future.