Negron, Van Wirt Oppose Bill To Eliminate Wage Disparity in Bethlehem

As hard as this might be, I actually feel sorry for Bethlehem City Council member Bryan Callahan. He recently introduced an ordinance aimed at eliminating the wage disparity we all know exists between men and women. You'd think Olga Negron (Mayor Dumbass) and Paige Van Wirt (call me Doctor), two of Bethlehem's three female Council members, would jump all over this. They both no doubt have experienced the gender pay gap. They and Callahan are the three members of Council's Human Resources Committee. But amazingly, they voted on Tuesday to delay Callahan's bill. Not just that. They jumped all over Callahan, too. Negron told Callahan to "shut up" while Van Wirt insisted she be addressed as "Doctor." After the meeting, when she thought the mike was off, Van Wirt pointed at Callahan and threatened, "Don't bring up my business." Negron and Van Wirt might claim to be champions of women's rights, their actions tell a different story. They would rather hurt Callahan than help women. This is classic bad government. I expect this from Negron, but Van Wirt's behavior is very disappointing

Without question, wage disparity exists. The Third Circuit Court of Appeals recently summarized the data in a February 6 opinion upholding Philadelphia's Wage Equality Ordinance:

According to the 2015 census, women in Pennsylvania earn 79 cents for every dollar earned by similarly situated men. For women of color, the wage gap is even more profound. Black women earn 68 cents for every dollar paid to similarly situated men, and Latina women earn 56 cents for every dollar paid to similarly situated men. The gap begins for women as soon as they enter the workforce. In just the first year after college, fulltime working women earn, on average, just 82% of what their male peers earn. Overall, women under the age of 35 earn 88-91% of what their male peers earn. Rather than improve, as women gain experience in the work force the situation gets worse. Women aged 35 and over earn only 77-81% of what male peers earn.

Callahan's legislation addresses this gender pay gap by banning employers from asking job applicants to disclose their wage history. The law would become effective one year after enactment to give businesses time to become familiar with the change. After that, a boss who asks for a wage history could get hit with a fine of up to $1,000 in a private action. The City's Human Relations Commission lacks the resources to enforce this law, so it would be up to the victim. 

This proposed wage history ban is similar to the law recently upheld in Philly. In Pennsylvania, state agencies are banned from asking an applicant to reveal his or her job history. In Pittsburgh, city officials are barred from asking a job seeker to disclose prior salaries.

Throughout the country, there are 17 state-wide and 20 local salary history bans.

"And we're Bethlehem," responded VanWirt when Callahan attempted to point out that salary history bans are being implemented throughout the country.

During the hearing, Van Wirt noted that Callahan had called her and promised he would even support Olga Negron as Council President if they would only support this legislation. She told him then that she had unspecified "concerns."  She instructed Callahan that it was his job to reach out to the women on Council to come up with a workable ordinance.

"The time to do this was before this committee meeting," she declared.

In other words, behind closed doors in violation of the state Sunshine Act. The people's business, with very limited exceptions, should always be discussed openly.

"Miss Van Wirt," began Callahan.

"Dr. Van Wirt," snapped Van Wirt.

"Councilwoman Van Wirt," continued Callahan. "In here you're a Councilwoman."

"Councilwoman or Doctor will be fine, thank you."

She didn't spend six years in evil medical school to be called Miss, thank you very much.

Negron complained, perhaps rightly, that the onus for enforcement is on the job applicant. Van Wirt said an employment lawyer would cost $5,000.

That's just nutz.

Solicitor Jack Spirk said that perhaps the fine could be directed at attorney fees.

Neither Van Wirt nor Negron was willing to offer amendments to make the ordinance more workable. They both voted to postpone the matter and also made clear they are unwilling to offer future amendments.

A baffled Callahan pointed out they both had known about the hearing at least a month in advance.

"If you want to respect the women in the City, start with your two colleagues here," snapped Negron, referring to herself and VanWirt. Negron conveniently ignored a third female member of City Council, Grace Crampsie Smith, even though she was present and happens to support a wage history ban in some form.

"Please respect what we're trying to tell you and don't keep on talking down to us," continued Negron.

Callahan tried to respond, but Negron began waving her arms and shouted, "No you listen to me. ... You have to shut up, OK? respect us."

Bethlehem Gadfly has previously lauded Negron for "her willingness to work with others, her ability to change her mind — a trait not so noticeable in elected officials — her honesty, and her persistence."

Her antics at this meeting reveal the real Olga.

At some point toward the end of the meeting, Callahan wondered (perhaps not so innocently) whether Van Wirt's intransigence might be related to the fact that she has a business in Bethlehem. When she thought the meeting had ended, she stuck her finger at Callahan and threatened, "Don't bring up my business."

I thought it was a profession.

Doctor Van Wirt's behavior at this meeting was both unprofessional and hurts women. But she's a doctor.

(Blogger's Note: The County has no power to impose a wage history ban. I question whether a city government has this authority. )