AUGUSTA – A bill sponsored by Sen. Deb Simpson, D-Auburn, that would allow employees to ask colleagues how much they earn without fear of retribution from their employer passed unanimously out of the Legislature’s Labor Committee on Monday.

The legislation is aimed at shrinking the pay gap that exists between men and women and specifically applies to Maine’s existing equal pay law. Since 1964, Maine law has stated it is illegal to pay men and women different wages for the same work.

“But how would you know someone’s paying you differently if you aren’t allowed to ask?” Simpson said. “This gets at the underlying problem.”

Simpson’s bill faced initial opposition from groups such as the Maine Merchants Association, who were concerned it would force employers and employees to disclose all salaries.

The bill was amended in committee, making it clear that employees have the right to ask, but fellow employees and employers have the right to decline to share wage information, when it comes to determining whether gender wage discrimination is taking place.

“We were concerned that an employer would be required to divulge peoples’ pay and that it would cause confusion and ill feelings in the work place,” said Jim McGregor of the Maine Merchants Association. “We thought the committee made great progress in addressing the issue and we were in agreement with the compromise that came out.”

Simpson said she was familiar with companies whose policies prevented employees from discussing their wages with each other, but did not offer specific examples of people who would be affected by her bill.

“Here in Maine, for full-time work, women earn 76 cents on a man’s dollar; that’s about $5,000 per year for your average worker,” she said. “Hopefully this legislation would reduce the wage gap. That would really benefit children, families, single women, as well as the economy. The more people earn, the more money they have to spend.”

Representatives of the Maine Civil Liberties Union and Maine Women’s Lobby agreed with Simpson that the bill could help narrow the wage gap between men and women.

“This (bill) is really motivated by gender wage discrimination and the continuing gender wage gap in America,” said Alysia Melnick, public policy counsel for the MCLU. “This affects not only women, but their families. We definitely see this as an equal protection issue.”

Laura Harper, director of public policy at the Maine Women’s Lobby, said Simpson’s bill would help, but not entirely solve gender wage disparity.

“It’s very important,” she said. “I don’t think it’s going to solve the issue completely, because it’s complex and there are many contributing factors to the wage gap, but I think this is a big step in the right direction.”

Harper said she has been in contact with Maine’s two senators about a more comprehensive federal bill that is working its way through Congress and is optimistic about gaining their support.

Simpson’s bill will be scheduled for debate in the Legislature.

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