Obama’s next pay equity mission: Dry cleaning?

SHARE Obama’s next pay equity mission: Dry cleaning?

After taking aim at the gender pay gap on Tuesday, President Barack Obama may not be done when it comes to leveling the playing field. There are additional issues to be addressed, such as dry cleaning.

“We’ll talk about dry cleaners next, right,” Obama said, prompting laughter from an audience full of women, “because I know that — I don’t know why it costs more for Michelle’s blouse than my shirt.”

White House press secretary Jay Carney, when asked about the disparity in dry cleaning prices, said “it’s terrible.”

While this isn’t anything new, The Washington Post has some concrete numbers, thanks to a 2009 survey that was done in New York. Then, a woman’s shirt cost an average of $4.95 to dry clean while men only paid $2.86 on average.

Surprisingly, there’s no overarching federal law that prohibits such a practice of charging men and women different prices for similar services.

Via The Washington Post

The Latest
With Easter around the corner, chocolate makers and food businesses are feeling the impact of soaring global cocoa prices and it’s also hitting consumers.
Despite getting into foul trouble, which limited him to just six minutes in the second half, Shannon finished with 29 points, five rebounds and two assists.
Cowboy hats, bell-bottoms and boots were on full display Thursday night as fans lined up for the first of his three sold-out shows.
The incident occurred about 3:40 p.m. near Minooka. The horse was successfully placed back into the trailer, and the highway reopened about 40 minutes later. No injuries were reported.