May 1st 2024.
A recent report released by the New York City Council Data Team has uncovered a shocking pay gap between women of color and their white colleagues who work for the city. The findings show that for every dollar earned by a white city employee, those who identify as Black, Latino, or Asian only make an average of 84 cents. And when it comes to gender-related disparities, the gap widens even further. White male city workers earn an average of $1 for every dollar, while other city employees only make 82 cents on average.
The report also sheds light on the disproportionate impact on women of color, who make up over two-thirds of the overall racial pay gap among government employees. In the period between 2018 and 2021, the pay gap between women of color and white male employees saw the smallest increase, with a mere 3.8% or less. This stands in stark contrast to the reduction in pay gap seen among white female employees, Black or African American male employees, and male employees who identify as other race/ethnicity.
The report also highlights the departments with the largest racial pay gaps. The Department of Citywide Administrative Services (DCAS), NYPD, and FDNY all have significant disparities between white employees and those of other races/ethnicities. DCAS, in particular, has the largest gap with a difference of $28,065.16. The first responder agencies, NYPD and FDNY, closely follow with pay differences of $24,539 and $27,766 respectively. The Department of Environmental Protection and the Department of Transportation are also among the top agencies with significant racial pay gaps, with differences of $16,089.52 and $15,716.20 respectively.
In response to these findings, councilmembers Crystal Hudson, Farah Louis, and Carmen de La Rosa, who are women of color themselves, have proposed legislation that would address these disparities. This includes providing career counseling, promoting job opportunities, and surveying the workplace culture within city agencies. De La Rosa, who chairs the Council's women's caucus, expressed her concern and disappointment in these longstanding trends of undervaluing and underpaying women and non-white employees.
Amaris Cockfield, spokesperson for Mayor Eric Adams, released a statement acknowledging the report and stating that the administration will review its findings. She also highlighted the steps that the mayor has taken to address the pay gap, such as signing legislation requiring employers to disclose salary ranges and launching Women Forward NYC, an initiative focused on promoting gender equality in the workplace.
However, recent updates have raised questions about the effectiveness of these initiatives. In late April 2024, two top officials, Judge Sylvia Hinds-Radix and Civilian Complaint Review Board interim chair Arva Rice, were unexpectedly removed from their positions. Hinds-Radix reportedly left due to concerns over the city's representation in a sexual assault lawsuit, while Rice left in part due to her criticism of the lack of discipline for two police officers involved in the shooting death of Bronx resident Kawaski Trawick. This news has sparked discussions about Mayor Adams' management style and his commitment to empowering women of color in top positions.
Christina Greer, a Moynihan Public Fellow Scholar and NY1 commentator, raised important questions about the mayor's leadership and ability to delegate effectively. As more women leave their positions, concerns have been raised about whether Mayor Adams has assembled the right team to help the city thrive. These recent events have brought attention to the ongoing issue of gender and racial disparities in the workplace, and it is clear that more work needs to be done to achieve true equality and empowerment for all employees, regardless of their race or gender.
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