Gender Equality

Women are breadwinners. In fact 40% of working women in the United States are the sole breadwinner for their families, so the pay gap not only affects women but their families as well.

Employers need to recognize the time all working families need to care for their loved ones. We need laws that acknowledge the challenges that working families face.

Working people in unions are dedicated to fair schedules, fair wages, access to affordable health care and child care, and paid leave for all working families and women who are disproportionately affected.

11 - 27%
Black women in jobs critical to COVID-19 recovery earned 11 - 27% less than white men.
Did You Know
Women lose an average of $417,400 to the wage gap in their lifetime.
83
The number, in cents, a woman is paid for every dollar paid to a man.
Did You Know
Men recouped all 10 million of their vanished jobs but women, who lost 11.9 million positions, are still 100,000 shy of their pre-COVID mark.

What We’re Doing

Convention Resolution

Resolution 8: Promote Gender Equity

There has never been a more urgent time to confront gender oppression and advance gender justice. Working women make up 47% of the workforce, but are paid less and lack access to child care and paid leave, even though women carry the majority of caregiving responsibilities and continue to face discrimination with deep consequences for their health, safety and economic security.
Blog

Service + Solidarity Spotlight: Working Families Deserve Access to Unrestricted Health Care

Working people across the United States have stepped up to help out our friends, neighbors and communities during these trying times. In our regular Service + Solidarity Spotlight series, we'll showcase one of these stories every day. Here’s today’s story.
Speech

Shuler: APWU Women Have Been the Changemakers

AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler's remarks to the American Postal Workers Union's Post Office Women for Equal Rights Conference:
Speech

Shuler: AFSCME Women Showed Up for Our Communities

AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler's remarks to the AFSCME Council 13 Biennial Women's Conference.
Speech

Shuler to UFT: Women Are Speaking Truth to Power

AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler's remarks to the United Federation of Teachers HERstory celebration event.
Speech

Shuler: ILA Women Have the Power

AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler's remarks to the International Longshoremen's Association Women's Conference.