The American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations v. State of Washington

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Determined whether the AFL-CIO violated Title VII by compensating employees in predominantly-female jobs at a lower rate than employees in predominantly-male jobs.

Full Case Title: 

The American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations v. State of Washington, 770 F.2d 1401 (9th Cir. 1985)
  • Workplace Equality and Economic Empowerment

Year: 

1985
  • Sex-Based Classification
  • Authored Amicus Brief

Brief: 

Summary of the Case

This case considered whether the AFL-CIO violated Title VII by compensating employees in predominantly-female jobs at a lower rate than employees in predominantly-male jobs.

Our Role in the Case

Legal Momentum's amicus curiae brief focused on the history of the gender wage gap, and the ways in which the wage gap continues to plague female employees.

Decision

The United States District Court for the Western District of Washington ruled that the AFL-CIO did discriminate against female employees on the basis of sex, in violation of Title VII.  The AFL-CIO appealed, and, unfortunately, the Ninth Circuit ruled that the female employees failed to prove liability under disparate impact or disparate treatment theories.