Dept of Labor Denies School Dept Appeal in Equal Pay Ruling for Women Coaches-August 14, 1975

The U.S. Department of Labor has officially denied the Norwood School Department‘s appeal of a prior finding that four female athletic coaches have been underpaid since 1972.

The latest directive from the federal agency warns that formal litigation could be initiated against the school department if it refuses to adjust and pay the higher salaries. In May, the federal agency ordered $2,833 in back-pay to be disbursed to two softball coaches, one swimming coach, and one gymnastics coach to bring their compensation up to parity with their male counterparts.

At an appeal hearing held earlier, school department officials argued that athletic coaching salaries had been established through collective bargaining agreements and that unilaterally raising them would violate the collective bargaining process. However, the Labor Department firmly responded that federal equal pay laws supersede collective bargaining regulations. In response to the ruling, the School Committee indicated that it would consult with Town Counsel Justin C. Barton to evaluate the possibility of pursuing further legal appeals in the matter.