Employment compensation

In an attempt to remedy the gap, lawmakers in Colorado, Minnesota and South Dakota have voted to reduce annual cost-of-living increases on pensions. Not surprisingly, retirees in each state have filed lawsuits.

Fast-food workers from London to Manila took to the streets in more than 33 countries today to protest over low wages and a lack of guaranteed work hours.Fast-food workers from London to Manila took to the streets in more than 33 countries today to protest over low wages and a lack of guaranteed work hours.

In the midst of a budget struggle, the mayor of Scranton, Pa., can’t get an agreement with the City Council. So, recently, he decided to cut the wages of the town’s employees to the federal minimum wage, $7.25 an hour, despite the fact they have contracts stating otherwise. This includes firefighters and other public employees.

“Equal pay for equal work” has been a phrase since the 20th century. However, in the United States, women still make, on average, significantly less money than their male counterparts. The Paycheck Fairness Act attempts to address the gender wage gap and will be voted on in Congress later this week, but is not expected to pass.

In December, Republicans and Democrats managed to extend a payroll tax cut, unemployment benefits and a fix for Medicare payments. That extension runs out at the end of the month but, at least when it comes to the payroll tax cut, Republicans are willing to offer another extension through the end of the year.