CONTRARY... ACADEMY AWARD WINNER PATRICIA ARQUETTE AND THE REVITALIZED MOVEMENT FOR PAY EQUITY.

>> TELL ME ABOUT YOUR STRUGGLE.

>> WHEN ARE YOU A SINGLE MOM AND YOU ONLY HAVE A LITTLE BIT OF MONEY YOU ARE BALANCING CAN WE BUY FOOD OR DIAPERS?

[♪♪♪] >> HELLO I'M BONNIE ERBE WELCOME TO THE CONTRARY A DISCUSSION OF NEWS AND SOCIAL TRENDS FROM DIVERSE PERSPECTIVES.

THIS WEEK'S EQUAL PAYDAY IS COMMEMORATED WITH NEW REPORTS AND CELEBRITY SUPPORT.

>> WHO IS UNHAPPY?

UNHAPPY PAYDAY.

>> IT'S BEEN 50 YEARS SINCE THE EQUAL PAY ACT TOOK OWE EFFECT.

YET, AMERICAN WOMEN CONTINUE TO EARN LESS THAN MEN.

THIS WEEK, MARKED EQUAL PAYDAY, THE SYMBOLIC DAY WOMEN MUST WORK IN ADDITION TO LAST YEAR TO EARN WHAT A MAN EARNED LAST YEAR ALONE SINCE WOMEN EARN ON AVERAGE 79 CENTS FOR EVERY DOLLAR EARNED BY MEN.

THE HOUSE SENATE JOINT ECONOMIC COMMITTEE RELEASED A REPORT THAT BREAKS DOWN PAY DISPARITIES BY RACE, AGE AND STATE.

BY STATE LOUISIANA IS THE WORST AND NEW YORK THE BEST.

BY RACE AFRICAN-AMERICAN WOMEN AND LATINAS EARN LESS THAN WHITE WOMEN.

60 CENTS AND 55 CENTS RESPECTIVELY.

BY AGE, THE GAP IS A CANYON AS TIME GOES ON PUTTING TWICE AS MANY WOMEN IN POVERTY DURING RETIREMENT AS MEN.

PATRICIA ARQUETTE IS CONTINUING HER CAMPAIGN FOR EQUAL PAY.

THE CAMPAIGN SHE STARTED WHEN SHE ACCEPTED THE 2015 OSCAR FOR BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS THAT FOR HER ROLE IN THE MOVIE BOYHOOD.

>> THERE WAS A LOT OF THINGS MOO MY MIND BEFORE I MADE THAT SUBPOENA AND I TOLD MY BOYFRIEND AND MY FRIENDS BUT I WILL SAY SOMETHING TONIGHT I DO NOT CARE AND THE NEXT DAY A WOMAN CAME UP TO ME AND CRYING AND MY BOSS CALLED ME IN TODAY AND GAVE ME A RAISE.

>> PATRICIA ARQUETTE WAS IN WASHINGTON D.C. MEETING WITH LAWMAKERS ON CAPITOL HILL HOLDING NEWS CONFERENCES AND HOSTING A BLOCK PARTY WITH THE AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF UNIVERSITY WOMEN.

ARQUETTE TEAMED UP WITH DEMOCRAT CAROLYN MALONEY WHO HAS BEEN FIGHTING FOR PAY EQUITY AND RELIGHTLIZE THE -- REVITALIZE THE AMENDMENT FOR YEARS.

>> PATRICIA ARQUETTE A GREAT OPPORTUNITY TO BE HERE AND INTERVIEW YOU AND CONGRESSWOMAN MALONE ANY GREAT TO SEE YOU.

>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING US.

>> WHAT DROVE YOU TO THE ISSUE?

>> I WON THE ACADEMY FOR THIS CHARACTER OF A SINGLE MOM STRUGGLING TO PAY THE BILLS.

HOW HER LIFE WOULD HAVE BEEN DIFFERENT IF SHE WERE PAID WHAT SHE EARNED.

>> DO YOU KNOW WHERE YOU WERE ON MOVIES WHERE THE MALE LEAD MADE TWICE AS MUCH AS YOU DID?

>> THAT SPEECH, I WASN'T THINKING ABOUT HOLLYWOOD.

I KNEW ACROSS THE BOARD THIS WAS HAPPENING TO WOMEN.

I WAS SEEING WOMEN STRUGGLE IN POVERTY TRY TO BE PARENTS TRY TO FEED THEIR KIDS.

NOT GET AN OPPORTUNITY TO BECOME THE MANAGER.

BUT OFTENTIMES THEY WERE BEHAVING AS THE MANAGER.

AND THEY STILL WERE NOT GETTING THE TITLE OR THE MONEY.

AS I LEARNED MORE AND MORE ABOUT THIS ISSUE AND I LEARNED HOW LITTLE WOMEN WERE MAKING ESPECIALLY WOMEN OF COLOR, I REALLY WANTED TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT.

>> THIS SEEMS TO HAVE PICKED UP SPEED NOW.

IT'S BEEN CONGRESSWOMAN CAROLYN MALONEY HAS BEEN FIGHTING FOR THIS SINCE SHE HAS BEEN IN THE HOUSE.

WHY NOW?

IS IT YOU?

ARE YOU WORKING WITH MERYL STREEP ON IT?

>> I THINK WOMEN ARE 51% OF THE POPULATION.

THE LARGEST VOTING BLOCK.

WE ARE NOW A LOT OF US PRIMARY BREAD WINNERS FOR OUR FAMILIES OR PARTICIPATING IN THE FAMILY INCOME.

WE'VE GOT A LOT OF SINGLE FAMILY HOMES WHERE MOMS HAVE KIDS.

SO THE WHOLE RESPONSIBILITY HAS SHIFTED, I THINK.

AND WOMEN CANNOT TAKE IT ANYMORE FRANKLY.

I PERMANENTLY THINK IT'S NEGLIGENCE.

>> TELL ME ABOUT YOUR STRUGGLE WHEN YOU WERE A SINGLE MOM TRYING TO FEED YOUR CHILD.

WHAT WAS IT LIKE FOR YOU?

>> WHEN YOU ARE A SINGLE MOM AND YOU ONLY HAVE A LITTLE BIT OF MONEY YOU REALLY ARE BALANCING CAN WE BUY FOOD OR DIAPERS?

HOW DO I PAY FOR A DOCTOR EVEN THOUGH IT IS A WELL CARE VISIT?

AND MY RENT AT THE SAME TIME?

I DON'T KNOW HOW I AM GOING TO DO THIS.

>> WERE YOU WAITING TABLES?

>> I WAS GETTING JOBS WAITING TABLES TRYING TO GET ACTING JOBS AT THE SAME TIME.

AND FRANKLY AT A CERTAIN POINT IT WAS LIKE I WILL DO ANY JOB I NEED TO DO.

BECAUSE I HAVE A BABY TO FEED.

AND WHATEVER TIME WHATEVER THAT ENDS UP BEING AND I WAS LUCKY THAT I GOT AN ACTING JOB.

BUT I WAS GOING INTO STORES ASKING EVERYBODY PLEASE, I NEED A JOB.

I GOT A KID TO FEED I HAVE A BABY.

>> LET ME ASK YOU THE SAME QUESTION.

YOU HAVE BEEN POUNDING THE PAVEMENT NOT TO USE A CLICHE BUT IT IS A CLICHE FOR SO MANY YEARS ON PAY EQUITY AND NOW IT SEEMS LIKE IT'S TAKING OFF.

TELL ME ABOUT HOW THAT MAKES YOU FEEL.

>> SHE HAS BROUGHT NEW ENERGY NEW FOCUS AND NEW DEVOTION THAT HAS GIVEN ME MORE STRENGTH AND MORE STRENGTH TO THE MOVEMENT.

I WOULD SAY IN HER SPEECH AT THE OSCARS, SHE ELEVATED THE EQUAL RIGHTS AMENDMENT PUTTING WOMEN IN THE CONSTITUTION, GIVING WOMEN THE RESPECT THAT THEY DESERVE.

SHE ELEVATED THIS TO A NATIONAL DEBATE.

TO A NATIONAL DISCUSSION ON WHY THIS IS IMPORTANT.

AND I WAS WATCHING IT AT HOME AND I WAS IN BED AND I LITERALLY JUMPED OUT OF BED UP AND DOWN.

BECAUSE SO MANY PEOPLE TALK ABOUT IT.

BUT THEY DON'T DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT.

AND WHEN YOU POLL IT, IT POLLS 90 PLUS.

EVERYBODY IS FOR IT.

OF COURSE I AM FOR EQUAL OPPORTUNITY.

OF COURSE I THINK WOMEN SHOULD BE RESPECTED, OF COURSE I THINK THEY SHOULD BE IN THE CONSTITUTION BUT FEW ARE ABLE TO TAKE THAT AND TURN IT INTO REAL ACTION.

SHE HAD A FEW SECONDS TO TALK NATIONALLY TO AMERICA.

WHEN EVERYONE WAS WATCHING IT.

AND SHE USED IT NOT FOR HERSELF NOT FOR HER MOVIE BUT TO PROMOTE OTHER WOMEN.

>> WE ARE STILL IN A REPUBLICAN-CONTROLLED CONGRESS.

DO YOU SEE ANYTHING, DO YOU HOPE FOR ANY BILL TO COME FORWARD?

>> I COULDN'T EVEN GO TO WORK IF I DID NOT BELIEVE I COULD BE SUCCESSFUL.

AND I WILL TELL YOU I HAVE A LIST OF 10 BILLS AND THINGS THAT I WANTED TO ACCOMPLISH.

I ACCOMPLISHED ALL OF THEM SAVE WOMEN IN THE CONSTITUTION AND WE HAVE BEEN WORKING TODAY AND YESTERDAY AND TOMORROW AND WE HAVE BEEN MEETING WITH REPUBLICANS WITH REPUBLICAN LEADERS WITH REPUBLICAN MEMBERS, AND MOST OF THE DEMOCRATS ARE ALREADY ON THE BILL.

WE HAVE ROUGHLY 189 COSPONSORS.

WE WILL NEED 290 TO PASS IT.

I BELIEVE IT IS DOABLE BECAUSE EVERYONE BELIEVES IN EQUALITY OF OPPORTUNITY.

IT DOES NOT COST ANY TAXPAYER MONEY NOT ONE CENT DOES IT COST THE TAXPAYERS.

SO HERE IS A WAY YOU CAN HELP HALF THE POPULATION.

YOU CAN GIVE THEM THE RIGHTS OF EQUALITY THAT THEY DESERVE AND THE RESPECT THAT THEY DESERVE.

SO I AM HOPING THAT MY COLLEAGUES IN CONGRESS WILL JOIN PATRICIA IN PUSHING THIS FORWARD.

>> ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT PAY EQUITY OR THE ERA?

>> THE EQUAL RIGHTS AMENDMENT.

I SUPPORT PAY EQUITY BUT I CERTAINLY FEEL THE REAL GOAL IS TO PUT WOMEN IN THE CONSTITUTION.

RIGHT NOW, BONNIE, IT DEPENDS WHO IS IN CHARGE OF THE LEGISLATURE WHO IS IN CHARGE OF THE SUPREME COURT.

OUR RIGHTS SHOULD NOT BE AT THE WHIM OF WHAT LEGISLATIVE BODY OR WHO.

IT SHOULD BE A BEDROCK PRINCIPLE THAT IS THERE.

AND WHAT IS SO UNUSUAL WE AS A COUNTRY WILL FIGHT SO HARD TO PUT IN THE CONSTITUTION OF JAPAN WOMEN'S EQUALITY, INTO THE CONSTITUTION OF AFGHANISTAN AND IRAQ AND ALL THESE COUNTRIES BUT IT IS NOT IN THE CONSTITUTION OF THE GREAT COUNTRY OF AMERICA.

THIS HAS DONE SO MUCH FOR WOMEN.

>> AND YOU HAVE BEEN MEETING WITH REPUBLICAN MEMBERS.

HOW DO THEY RECEIVE YOU?

>> I MET A LOT OF WONDERFUL PEOPLE AND I'M EXCITED TO SEE WHAT COMES OF IT.

WE STARTED INITIAL CONVERSATIONS.

AND I REALLY THINK THEIR FATHERS AND MOTHERS TO DAUGHTERS AND THEY UNDERSTAND THE CIRCUMSTANCE AND THE SITUATION.

LET'S SEE WHAT HAPPENS.

BUT I'M HOPING THAT WE CAN MAKE THIS NONPARTISAN AND COME TOGETHER AND REALLY STAND UP TO THE WORLD AND SAY WE TRULY DO BELIEVE IN EQUALITY AND AFTER 272 YEARS WE ARE PUTTING WOMEN IN THE UNITED STATES CONSTITUTION.

JUST LIKE ALL THESE OTHER COUNTRIES HAVE WOMEN IN THEIR CONSTITUTION.

AND LET US BE THE FIRST NATION ON EARTH TO HAVE TRUE GENDER PAY EQUALITY FOR ALL WOMEN IN THE NUNS IN 1963, I BELIEVE IT WAS, CONGRESS PASSED PAY EXWI EQUITY FOR WOMEN BUT WE ARE STILL 79 CENTS ON THE DOLLAR.

WHY?

>> IN 1963 WE WERE 59 CENTS TO THE DOLLAR.

AND WE ARE 79 CENTS TO THE DOLLAR AND IT'S BEEN STUCK FOR 30 YEARS.

>> THERE ARE LOOPHOLES IN THE LAWS.

WE ARE AT THE WHIM OF THE LEGISLATURES AT THE TIME AT THE LAWS OF THE TIME THEY ARE REINTERPRETED IN STRANGE WAYS.

WHO KNEW THEY WERE GOING TO INTERPRET THAT LILLY LEDBETTER'S ACT OF DISCRIMINATION NOT BEING PAID FAIRLY HER WHOLE CAREER WOULD GO BACK THAT SHE WOULD HAVE HAD TO HAVE FILE TO DO 18 MONTHS AFTER THE FIRST OFFENSE.

THAT IS INSANITY.

>> WE HAD TO CORRECT THAT LEGISLATIVELY AND WE DID.

>> DO YOU EXPECT TO SEE US NOW THAT THIS MOVEMENT IS TAKING OFF, DO YOU EXPECT TO SEE WOMEN MAKING 100% ON THE DOLLAR IN OUR LIFETIME?

>> IT CAN HAPPEN VERY QUICKLY.

MARK, THE C.E.O.

OF SALES FORCE SOME OF THE WOMEN IN HIS COMPANY CAME TO HIM AND SAID WE WANT TO MAKE SURE WE ARE GETTING PAID FAIRLY.

HE SAID WELL, I AGREE I'M SURE YOU ARE BEING PAID FAIRLY.

HE FOUND HE WAS UNDER PAYING WOMEN BY $3 MILLION A YEAR.

THAT IS ONE COMPANY.

THAT IS A LOT OF MONEY.

THAT IS 120 MILLION THOSE WORKERS WOULD HAVE BEEN MISSING OUT ON IN THEIR LIFETIME.

JUST ADD THAT COMPANY BY COMPANY, THAT IS EXACTLY WHAT IS HAPPENING IN 98% OF ALL BUSINESSES.

WOMEN ARE BEING DRIVEN INTO POVERTY.

THEIR CHILDREN DO NOT HAVE ENOUGH FOOD TO EAT.

AND WE NEED TO READDRESS THIS.

>> DO YOU EXPECT TO SEE PAY EQUITY IN YOUR LIFETIME?

>> IF WE PASS THE -- IF WE PUT WOMEN IN THE CONSTITUTION AND GIVE THEM THE RESPECT THAT THEY DESERVE, YES.

>> EXPLAIN TO ME HOW THAT WILL WORK.

THERE IS AN EQUAL RIGHTS AMENDMENT WHICH ADDS THE WORDS WOMEN MEN AND WOMEN IN THE CONSTITUTION.

AND THEN WHAT?

WOMEN -- >> RIGHT NOW WHEN WOMEN SUE THEY HAVE TO PROVE THE INTENT TO DISCRIMINATE NOT JUST THAT THEY DISCRIMINATED.

HEY I AM A MANAGER AND I GOT PAID LESS THAN HE DID.

AND WE HAVE THE SAME COLLEGE EDUCATION.

I WOULD HAVE TO ALSO PROVE THIS COMPANY INTENTIONALLY DISCRIMINATED AGAINST ME.

EVEN THOUGH THEY HAVE PAID ALL THESE WOMEN LESS THAN MEN I HAVE TO FIND THE E-MAIL A TEXT SOMEWHERE THAT SAID PAY WOMEN LESS THAN MEN.

IT IS ABSURD.

WOMEN HAVE A DIFFERENT -- THEY HAVE TO PROVE THEIR CASE TWICE IN A WEIRD WAY.

SO IF WE HAD A CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT THEY WOULD HAVE A HIGHER SCRUTINY OF LAW THAT -- A STRICT SCRUTINY OF LAW FOR SUSPECT CLASSES WHICH COVERS RACE AND OTHER GROUPS THAT HAVE NOTORIOUSLY BEEN DISCRIMINATED AGAINST.

AND WE HAVE DATA.

1963.

WE HAVE DATA FOR DECADES TO TELL US THIS IS A GROUP THAT HAS BEEN DISCRIMINATED AGAINST.

>> CONSERVATIVE AND CONSERVATIVE WOMEN SAY THAT THE WOMEN MAKE CHOICES LIKE THEY TAKE OUT TIME-OUT OF THE WORKPLACE FOR THEIR CHILDREN.

WHAT COULD YOU SAY -- SO REALLY THEY MAKE CHOICES THAT CAUSE THEIR CAREERS TO FALL BEHIND THOSE OF MEN -- >> LOOK UP MARK AT SALES FORCE.

THOSE WOMEN WERE NOT AT HOME TAKING CARE OF CHILDREN THAT IS NOT WHY THEY WERE GETTING PAID LESS.

IT WAS SUBCONSCIOUS DISCRIMINATION.

YES, WOMEN DO TAKE TIME OFF.

IS THAT A TERRIBLE THING FOR US TO TAKE CARE OF OUR CHILDREN IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA?

PART OF WHY WOMEN ARE PENALIZE SECOND WHEN THEY ARE DOING THAT BEAUTIFUL THING OF TAKING CARE OF OUR DYING AND LOVED ONES THEY GET A ZERO ON SOCIAL SECURITY AND THAT GETS AVERAGED IN AND WHEN THEY GET OLDER IT DRIVES DOWN THEIR MONTHLY INCOME.

>> 40% OF THE INCOME IN AMERICAN FAMILIES COMES FROM A WOMAN'S INCOME.

YOU ARE DISCRIMINATING AGAINST HER FAMILY AND CHILDREN AND HUSBAND.

AND IT ALSO SHOWED THERE WAS A 40% UNEXPLAINED DIFFERENTIAL AFTER YOU FACTORED IN THE REASONS SUCH AS TAKING TIME OFF FOR THE BIRTH OF A CHILD.

AND ECONOMISTS WILL NOT SAY WHAT IT IS.

BUT IT'S 40% UNEXPLAINED.

WHAT DO YOU THINK IT IS?

IT IS A BIAS AGAINST WOMEN OR KNOWING THEY CAN GET AWAY WITH IT OR WHATEVER IT IS IT'S UNFAIR.

>> YES, IT'S CLOSER WHEN WOMEN ARE YOUNGER BUT AT 89%, YOU CAN NEVER GO TO SOMEONE AND SAY BECAUSE THE SEX YOU ARE I WILL TAKE OUT 11% OF YOUR INCOME.

IS THAT COOL?

NO.

IT'S NOT COOL.

IT COMPOUNDS OVER TIME.

WE SAVE MONEY WHEN WE ARE YOUNG AND IT GROWS AND GROWS AND WHEN YOU GET OLDER THAT MONEY IS A LOT MONEY.

WOMEN ARE LOSING 11% OF THEIR INCOME THE YOUNGEST WOMEN RIGHT OFF THE BAT.

>> LAST QUESTION.

HOW ARE YOU GOING TO CARRY THIS CAMPAIGN FORWARD?

YOU ARE GOING BACK TO HOLLYWOOD AND DO YOUR CABLE SHOW AND DO YOU'RE DOING MOVIES.

>> CAROLYN IS THE CHAMP.

LET'S LET OUR LEGISLATURES KNOW OUR LAWMAKERS TO PARTNER WITH HER TO SUPPORT EQUAL RIGHTS.

>> ARE YOU GOING TO TRY TO STIR UP SUPPORT?

>> WE ARE STIRRING UP ALL KINDS OF TROUBLE.

AND WE STARTED A PETITION AT CHANGE.ORG WE HAVE 100,000 SIGNATURES NOW.

LET'S GET A COUPLE MILLION SIGNATURES.

WE CAN ALL PARTICIPATE IN THIS BUT THE REALITY IS IF WE DON'T, WE ARE BASICALLY SAYING IT IS OK TO DISCRIMINATE AGAINST WOMEN.

THEY DESERVE TO BE PAID LESS.

THEY ARE OF LESS VALUE IN OUR NATION.

AND WE ARE SAYING TO THE WORLD WE DON'T TREAT OUR WOMEN VERY WELL HERE.

>> SO WHAT DO YOU SEE AS THE BEST WAY TO CLOSE THE PAY GAP?

>> TRANSPARENCY IN ORGANIZATIONS PAY SCALES WHO THEY ARE PAYING WHAT AMOUNT OF MONEY.

>> I WANT TO SEE REMOVE THE GOVERNMENT IMPOSED BARRIERS THAT MAKE IT EXPENSIVE TO HIRE WOMEN AND TAKES MORE FROM THE PAYCHECKS.

>> PASS THE PAYCHECK FAIRNESS ACT THAT WILL CLOSE THE LOOPHOLES FROM THE EQUAL PAY ACT.

>> TRANSPARENCY BECAUSE FOR WOMEN TO BE ABLE TO GET PAID AS MUCH AS MALE COUNTERPART YOU HAVE TO KNOW HOW MUCH YOUR MALE COUNTERPART IS MAKING.

>> AND THERE ARE A LOT OF CORPORATE POLICY YOU ARE NOT TO DISCUSS YOUR PAY LEVEL WITH YOUR COLLEAGUES AND IF YOU DO, IT IS A FIREABLE OFFENSE.

WHY ISN'T CONGRESS ADDRESSING THAT?

>> THE PROBLEM IS I COULD NOT AGREE MORE.

THE MORE YOU KNOW THE BETTER ARMED YOU ARE TO NEGOTIATE FOR YOUR OWN WORTH.

AND ALSO I AM A BELIEVER THAT PEER PRESSURE IS EXTRAORDINARILY POWERFUL.

SO IF EVERYONE IN AN ORGANIZATION UNDERSTANDS REALLY HOW THE PAY IS BEING DOLLED OUT, YOU WILL SEE A MUCH MORE ENVIRONMENT OVERALL.

>> IS THERE ANYWAY TO MAKE IT FOR ALL NON-PROFITS YOU CAN GO ON-LINE AND GET TAX RETURNS AND YOU KNOW WHAT PEOPLE MAKE.

BUT FOR-PROFIT COMPANIES THERE IS NO SUCH THING.

IS THERE ANYWAY TO MAKE THEM DISCLOSE?

CAN CONGRESS PASS A LAW THAT SAYS THAT A PRIVATE OR PUBLIC FOR-PROFIT CORPORATION HAS TO LIST THE SALARIES OF EVERYONE WHO WORKS FOR IT?

>> I KNOW PATRICE DOES NOT WANT ME TO ADVOCATE ON BEHALF OF A REGULATION THAT WOULD FORCE BUSINESSES TO DO THIS BUT IT WOULD BE NICE.

GLASS DOORS IS A PLACE THAT YOU CAN PUT IN YOUR PERSONAL SALARY INFORMATION AND WHEN SOMEONE ELSE IS LOOKING TO GO TO THAT ORGANIZATION AND THEY CAN LOOK AND SEE HOW MUCH THE PERSON FOR ME MAKE.

AND YOU CAN DO IT ANONYMOUSLY.

SO I THINK THERE ARE THINGS WOMEN COULD DO TO PUT THAT OUT THERE.

AND ENCOURAGE OTHER PEOPLE TO DO THE SAME THING WITHOUT FORCING A BUSINESS TO SPECIFICALLY DO THAT OR THE GOVERNMENT TO GET INVOLVED AND TELL A BUSINESS THEY HAVE TO DO THAT.

>> ONE OF THE BENEFITS OF THE PAYCHECK FAIRNESS ACT THEY DO PROHIBIT THAT SECRECY AND COLLECTING THE DATA.

>> I CAN IMAGINE IN THE WORKFORCE IT WILL BE DIFFICULT WHEN YOU START TO SEE PEOPLE FIGHTING OVER WHAT ONE PERSON IS MAKING OVER THE OTHER.

I'M PUTTING OUT A POSSIBLE SCENARIO.

>> OK. HOW DO YOU ADDRESS THAT?

>> WE START SEEING TECH COMPANIES TO MOVE TOWARDS TRANSPARENCY IN THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE OF COLOR AND WOMEN.

I WOULD LOVE TO SEE THAT MOVE INTO THE PRIVATE SECTOR AND MAYBE THE MORE WE DEMAND OF IT WE WILL SEE THAT.

AGAIN I'M NOT SURE IF UNCLE SAM IS THE RIGHT PERSON TO BE ADVOCATE.

>> THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT ALREADY DOES WHAT WE ARE TALKING ABOUT.

[ALL TALKING AT ONCE] YOU CAN SEE HOW MUCH EVERY SINGLE PERSON IS MAKING.

AND WHEN IT IS THE GOVERNMENT WE THINK THAT WE SHOULD KNOW HOW MUCH EVERYBODY IS MAKING BECAUSE IT IS OUR TAX DOLLARS PAYING FOR IT BUT YOU CAN GET A BETTER SENSE OF WHO IN YOUR OFFICE IS MAKING WHAT AND THE MEN VERSUS THE WOMEN.

AND YOU CAN ARM YOURSELF WITH THE FACTS THEN TO GO INTO YOUR BOSS' OFFICE AND SAY YOU KNOW, I KNOW THAT THIS PERSON IS MAKING THIS AND HERE IS ALL THE WORK THAT I DO.

AND ASK MORE FORKER SELF.

-- FOR YOURSELF.

THERE ARE PLENTY OF STUDIES THAT SHOW THAT PART OF WHAT WOMEN'S PROBLEM IS THE INITIATIVE THAT THEY FEEL AFRAID TO GO IN AND TALK TO THEIR BOSSES AND ADVOCATE ON BEHALF OF MORE PAY.

>> LET ME TURN THE CONVERSATION A LITTLE BIT.

FIRST OF ALL, IS IT SEXIST THAT THERE IS ALL THIS PRESSURE OUT THERE ON WOMEN LIKE THE WHOLE CHERYL SANDBURG THING OF LEAN IN.

YOU SHOULD LEAN IN AND ASK FOR MORE MONEY AND THAT IS YOUR PROBLEM VERSUS IS THERE BIAS THAT NO MATTER IF YOU LEAN IN TOO FAR YOU ARE GOING TO CRASH AND FALL.

>> I THINK THERE IS DISCRIMINATION AND WE NEED TO CALL IT OUT.

>> AND TALK ABOUT THE REPORT.

>> WORKING FOR WOMEN AGENDA THIS IS WE WANT TO CHANGE THE CONVERSATION AROUND WHAT IT MEANS TO REALLY ENSURE THAT WOMEN ARE ABLE TO GET HIRED AND ALSO THAT THEY ARE ABLE TO KEEP THEIR MONEY.

FROM A SAVINGS PERSPECTIVE AND A WAY TO FILL THEIR HOUSEHOLD NEEDS ARE BEING TAKEN CARE OF RIGHT NOW AND THE FUTURE AND THE REGULATORY ISSUES THAT ARE KEEPING US FROM BEING HIRED WHETHER IT IS THE ENTRY LEVEL OR TOP LEVEL OF BUSINESS.

YOU KNOW WHEN IT COMES -- >> TELL ME A LITTLE BIT ABOUT WHAT ARE THOSE?

FAMILY AND MEDICAL LEAVE ACT IS SOMETHING THAT WOULD HARM WOMEN IN THE WORKPLACE?

>> WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THERE IS FLEXIBILITY AND SOME OF THE MANDATES WHILE THEY MAY HELP SOME WOMEN THEY HAVE THE CONSEQUENCE OF HARMING SOME WOMEN.

WE ARE ALL IN DIFFERENT LIFE STAGES AND HAVE DIFFERENT NEEDS TO THE WORKFORCE.

A YOUNG WOMAN JUST GETTING INTO A JOB SHE MAY NOT BE LOOKING TO HAVE A BABY RIGHT AWAY.

WHEREAS A WOMAN WHO IS ABOUT TO START A FAMILY THAT IS WHAT SHE IS THINKING ABOUT.

WE TALK ABOUT MAKING SURE THAT YOU CAN FROM A REGULATORY STANDPOINT REPEALING SOME OF THE REGULATIONS LIKE OBAMACARE OR JUST THE -- >> HOW DOES OBAMACARE HURT WOMEN?

>> IT IS THE COMMUNITIVE EFFECT OF LOTS OF REGULATIONS THAT MAKE IT EXPENSIVE TO HIRE SOMEONE.

WHILE OBAMACARE IS NOT SPECIFICALLY LISTED THERE WE TALK ABOUT THE MINIMUM WAGE FOR EXAMPLE.

WE TALK ABOUT THE OTHER COSTS ADDED TO A PERSON WHO IS HIRED.

ON THE OTHER SIDE THERE ARE OTHER REFORMS THAT WE TALK ABOUT.

>> I THINK ONE OF THE MOST USEFUL REFORMS THAT YOU MENTIONED WOULD BE THE COMPENSATORY PAID TIME OFF.

THERE IS A SENSE OF INSTEAD OF BEING PAID OVERTIME FOR A JOB THAT HAS OVERTIME PAY, YOU WOULD BE ALLOWED THE CHOICE TO TAKE THAT AS TIME OFF.

AND I THINK THAT IS A FANTASTIC THING.

I'M SOMEBODY WHO BELIEVES THAT WE DO NOT NECESSARILY HAVE TO OR SHOULD CONTINUE TO ADHERE TO THE FIVE-DAY A WEEK, 40-HOUR WORK WEEK MANY PEOPLE ARE WORKING MORE HOURS AND WOULD PREFER TO HAVE A FULL DAY OFF.

>> WHAT ABOUT MINIMUM WAGE WHICH LIKE IT OR NOT MINIMUM WAGE IS MORE OF A WOMEN'S ISSUE.

INCOME INEQUALITY IN THIS COUNTRY, IT IS A WOMEN'S ISSUE.

IT'S ALL ABOUT TWO-THIRDS OF THE PEOPLE EARNING THE MINIMUM WAGE ARE WOMEN.

SO YOUR TAKE ON WHAT SHOULD BE DONE?

>> LOOKING AT THE REPORT, MY ISSUE ABOUT IT WAS GREAT TO SEE IT ACKNOWLEDGING THAT PAY DISCRIMINATION -- BY CONSERVATIVES THAT -- >> 20 YEARS AGO, WOMEN WERE JUST CONSERVATIVE VIEW WAS WE ARE JUST LIKE MEN THERE IS NO DIFFERENCE.

>> 20 YEARS AGO I WAS IN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL.

THE PCA, THE PERM COMPENSATION ACCOUNT WHICH IS THE FAMILY MEDICAL LEAVE ACT THE ISSUE IS WHEN YOU HAVE TWO-THIRDS OF WOMEN WHO ARE MINIMUM WAGE EARNERS, SETTING ASIDE $5,000 A YEAR THAT IS NOT AN OPTION.

MY MOM WORKED TWO JOBS AND MY DAD WORKED THREE JOBS.

EVERY DOLLAR THAT CAME IN WAS TO TAKE CARE OF US AND PLAN FOR SCHOOL.

IT'S FEASIBLE FOR SOME WOMEN BUT NOT ONE THAT IS FEASIBLE IN A LOWER ECONOMIC STATUS.

>> I THINK YOU MAKE A GREAT POINT THERE.

WHAT HAPPENS TO PEOPLE WHO CANNOT AFFORD TO PUT SO MANY DOLLARS ASIDE?

WHAT IF THEY ARE ABLE TO RAISE THEIR WAGES AND MAYBE THEIR BOSS IS ABLE TO GIVE THEM MORE MONEY AND HIRE THEM AT A HIGHER PAY LEVEL IF THEY DID NOT HAVE THE RESTRICTIONS FROM OVERTIME PAY OR HIGHER MINIMUM WAGES OR THE REGULATIONS THAT ARE IMPOSED.

GENERALLY WHAT WE ARE TALKING ABOUT IS MAKING SURE IT'S NOT SO E TO HIRE A WOMAN OR A WORKER AND WHAT ARE THE WAYS WE CAN ENSURE THAT YOU CAN SAVE FOR CHILDCARE AND SAVE FOR COLLEGE WHATEVER IS GOING TO COME UP.

I AM AN IMMIGRANT.

MY MOM I DON'T KNOW HOW SHE RAISED ON ON MINIMUM WAGE BUT SHE DID.

AND IF SHE HAD THE OTHER VEHICLES SHE HAD MONEY SHE COULD HAVE PUT A COUPLE DOLLARS ASIDE FOR THAT.

>> YOUR THOUGHTS?

>> I THINK THAT WHAT WE ARE TALKING ABOUT IS IT IS A COMPLEX ISSUE AND THE DISCRIMINATION AND THE SOCIAL CONSTRUCTION TOWARD WOMEN WHO BARGAIN IS REAL AND DOES EXIST AND THAT IS THE OTHER PIECE THAT NO GOVERNMENT CAN FIX.

>> ALL RIGHT.

THAT IS IT FOR THIS EDITION FOLLOW ME ON TWITTER AND VISIT OUR WEBSITE PBS.ORG/TOTHECONTRARY.

AND WHETHER YOU AGREE OR THINK TO THE CONTRARY SEE YOU NEXT WEEK.

[♪♪♪] OF TO THE CONTRARY VISIT OUR WEBSITE AT PBS.ORG/TOTHECONTRARY.

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