Starbucks Commits to Pay Equity

WASHINGTON — American Association of University Women (AAUW) Chief Executive Officer Kim Churches issued the following statement in response to Starbucks’ announcement concerning the company’s pay equity and paid leave policies.

“AAUW commends Starbucks on not only talking the talk, but walking the walk when it comes to equitable workplaces. With their recent announcement toward ensuring a workplace with paid leave and pay equity policies, not just nationwide but globally, they are proving themselves to be a corporate leader when it comes to gender equity.

Starbucks’ proclamation is part of a growing trend of employers dedicated to fair pay practices, and, in turn, AAUW is reinforcing our commitment to work with employers to assist them in developing the best practices to benefit their employees, as well as their bottom lines. Women and families can’t afford, nor should they stand for, the financial insecurity caused by unequal pay. That’s why AAUW is taking the fight for fair pay to every level of government, and is also working closely with employers in every industry to adopt best practices to ensure strong employee protections when it comes to pay equity.

Equal pay is not only the right thing to do, it’s good for employers and our economy as a whole. Women refuse to face another day of unequal pay, but with the commitments of companies like Starbucks and the other policy changes AAUW is fighting for, the pay gap’s days are numbered.”