Montgomery County Council member pushes for equal pay across county jobs

ROCKVILLE, Md. (ABC7) — Jennifer Clavell and Leonette Dixon work for Montgomery County. Clavell manages a pool Dixon is a correctional officer. Both are angry to learn that most likely they’re being paid less than men doing the exact same jobs.

“Women we fight so hard to get the things we need,” says Dixon with Clavell adding, “You take five steps forward and all of a sudden you’re like wait we’re back in these times where we shouldn’t be.”

The women are reacting to the discovery by new At-large Montgomery County Councilmember Evan Glass of widespread gender pay inequity across county jobs of the same level. Glass surveyed salaries after he learned staffers he was trying to hire were asked to show prior pay stubs.

He says that is a way pay is held down especially for women. An example of what Glass found: in one office of 13 equal level employees the lone man is paid much more than all 12 women.

Glass is now introducing what he calls the County Pay Equity act which would prohibit the county from requesting salary history and give the council a report on gender pay equity every two years.

Glass says he know it wont help current employees but over time he expects the gap to narrow. “This is the first step in correcting the injustice that has occurred,” he adds. County worker Clavell says the measure has her full support, “We believe it’s time to really put your money where your mouth is. Gender should not be a factor period.”

The pay equity act will go through a subcommittee and then to county council as a whole where unanimous support is expected.

Advocates are then hoping a statewide version can be passed as well.