LCLAA Advocates for the Union Difference this Latina Equal Pay Day

Washington, DC — The Labor Council for Latin American Advancement (LCLAA) proudly stands in solidarity with Latinas, advocates, and organizations such as Justice for Migrant Women and Equal Pay Today! to highlight the persistent wage gap that disproportionately affects Trabajadoras. Latinas face the most severe wage gap of any ethnic or gender group in the country, earning 52 cents for each dollar a white non-Latino man is paid. This disparity is pervasive, with Latinas earning less than their non-Latino white counterparts at every education level and across all industries.  

Latinas are some of the nation’s most vulnerable workers, facing  pay disparities we cannot ignore. Their hard work and contributions to our society deserve to be recognized and fairly compensated. When Latinas are paid less than their counterparts for the same work, it not only hurts their families, but it hinders economic progress and undermines the principles of equality and fairness. 

The Latina Pay Gap is not just a women’s issue – it is a labor issue. Pay discrimination of any kind threatens the growth of our economy and the values of our nation. It prevents workers from earning their worth and is another obstacle preventing Latino communities from reaching their full economic potential. 

Unions have a long history of advocating for worker rights and social justice, and they have the potential to address the unique challenges Latinas face in the workplace. Latinas in unions earn more than non-union Latinas, earning almost $6.70 more per hour, approximately $268 more per week, or $13,936 more per year, than their non-unionized Latina counterparts. Through unions, we can break down barriers, secure fair pay, and pave the way for a brighter future where all workers, regardless of their background, can thrive.

In the fight for Latina Equal Pay, LCLAA has engaged in actions and events to raise awareness around the pay gap and spark change in the workplace. Through LCLAA’s Trabajadoras Fellowship Program we organized educational events in collaboration with local chapters. LCLAA members from across the nation advocated for equitable pay and stood in solidarity on picket lines for SAG-AFTRA, UAW, UNITE HERE! and SEIU, among others. Together, with Equal Pay partners and the Los Angeles LCLAA chapter, LCLAA hosted the National Latina Equal Pay Summit. This educational summit embodied the values of the labor movement and was a collective effort to confront the systems that cause the pay gap, address how unions can find solutions to pay disparities, and support Latinas in the workplace.

Evelyn DeJesus,  National President of the Labor Council for Latin American Advancement on the Latina Equal Pay Day, “The Latina pay gap is not just about numbers; it's about the dreams deferred, opportunities denied, and families impacted. It's about the right to be paid fairly for our hard work, the right to receive equal opportunities for career advancement, and the right to live a life free from economic insecurity. 

If we seek to make Latina equal pay a reality, we must unite as workers, as allies and as advocates. Together we can break down barriers, shatter stereotypes, and pave the way for a future where every Latina receives the respect, recognition and pay she deserves.” 

Learn more by reading our “Trabajadoras: Challenges Latinas Face in the Workforce,” infographic. For more information visit https://www.latinaequalpay.org/