Kroger’s, Macy’s Opposed Equal Pay Law; Sen. Garcia Cancels Macy’s Appearance

It was quite disappointing to hear that two of my favorite stores, Kroger’s and Macy’s, lobbied and sent a letter to Rick Perry asking him to veto the Equal Pay bill passed by a bipartisan Texas Legislature. Rick Perry responded by vetoing the bill.

The bill, authored by State Senator Wendy Davis and State Rep. Senfornia Thompson, would have given legal standing to women who are paid less for doing the same job as a man.

Progress Texas is asking Texans to sign a petition and to join a boycott of Kroger’s and Macys until they reverse their position on the Texas Equal Pay Law.

Your opposition is infuriating. It is shameful that while you are busy convincing Moms and Millennials to spend money on clothes and lunch boxes at back-to-school sales, you are advocating behind their backs to deny women equal pay for equal work.

In response to the news of Macy’s involvement, State Senator Sylvia Garcia (Senate District 6) cancelled an appearance at Macy’s in the Galleria which would have commemorated the 2013 Back to School Sales Tax Holiday.

“While I strongly support the tax free weekend that allows parents struggling to provide clothing and supplies for their children before they return to school, I was dismayed to learn that Macy’s and Kroger would oppose equal pay for equal work.  As a co-sponsor of the legislation and supporter of  equal rights, I am supporting the call to boycott  until these stores  reverse their position and declare their support for equal pay, ”  stated Senator Garcia.

Additional background (below).

The Houston Chronicle is reporting that Macy’s, Kroger, and a few smaller retailers sent a letter to Governor Rick Perry asking him to veto the equal pay for equal work legislation, known as the Texas Lilly Ledbetter Act.

On average, women make just 77 cents for every dollar a man earns.  Over a woman’s career, that disparity leads to more than $430,000 in lost wages.  During the regular session of the 83rd Texas Legislature, Senator Wendy Davis and Representative Senfronia Thompson authored and passed House Bill 950, which gives legal standing to women who are paid less for doing the same job as a man.  Governor Perry was urged by retailers, including Macy’s and Kroger, in a letter to veto the bill – which he ultimately did.