A lot to interpret over ‘equal pay’

State is trying to legislate equal pay for equal work. This leaves a lot to interpretation. What is work? Teachers, medical field, clerical, customer service, tech support. These are things that can identify with equal work.

Football, basketball, baseball — they are different. Don’t see too much intermingling there. Even golf is a man or woman thing. Woman golfers may be good, but six to seven strokes more than a man. However, golf is mostly an individual sport, and pay and winnings are according to performance.

Labor jobs, on the other hand, require concessions. Women mostly can’t do the same ”work” as men. Some can, but most are not able to lift as much weight, unless it’s a baby or child. Tell me: How do women carry a child on their hip, all day long? Now that’s work!

Women house painters can be a problem. They can’t carry tall ladders. Then, most don’t like heights. Not to mention the shade of green. It’s always the wrong shade of green! Just paint it!

I worked with several women in a man’s world. Two of these gals out-performed most of the men in their jobs. Others didn’t. One was so small she always needed help. Equal pay? Picture this: Major building supply store. Three women behind the counter. I needed help with bags of cement. When I asked, one said, “I can’t lift over 50 pounds.” Other one said, “I can’t leave the register.” Third said. “I’ll help you as soon as I am finished with this customer.” And she did. Equal pay?

Piece Rate. This is a good measure. However, the government and unions don’t like it. Some people make twice as much as others. Wonder why? With equal pay there are losers. First the employer. They have to “Look the other way” and not say anything. Second, the consumer. Prices have to go up to cover more employees to do the same “work” to deliver the same product. Government likes this because the jobless rate goes down. Unions like it because there are more dues payers. Before you ask for equal pay, ask yourself, Am I doing equal work? This goes for both men ... and women.

Robots are coming. So it’s a mute point anyway — unless you can fix robots.

— Bill Hoffrage,

Madera