Power and Finesse: How the United States’ and Australia’s Women’s National Soccer Teams Score for Equal Pay Women’s National Soccer Teams Score for Equal Pay
A summary of the article:
The article "Power and Finesse: How the United States' and Australia's Women's National Soccer Teams Score for Equal Pay" by Arianna Amato analyzes the legal and social strategies used by the U.S. Women’s National Team (USWNT) and Australia’s Matildas to achieve equal pay with their male counterparts. The USWNT pursued litigation under the Equal Pay Act and Title VII, filing complaints and lawsuits to challenge wage discrimination. In contrast, the Matildas utilized collective bargaining and industrial action, including a historic strike, to negotiate improved wages and conditions. Both teams succeeded in securing equal pay agreements, with the USWNT achieving a $24 million settlement and the Matildas securing equal revenue sharing in their collective bargaining agreement.
The article compares the advantages and drawbacks of each approach, highlighting the Matildas' strike as a less expensive and time-consuming strategy. It emphasizes the importance of societal and institutional support in achieving gender equity in sports and calls for continued advocacy to address remaining disparities. The study concludes that while progress has been made, further systemic changes are needed to ensure fairness in women’s sports globally.
Key Takeaways
The USWNT pursued legal action to address wage discrimination, securing a $24 million settlement and a commitment to equal pay in competitions.
The Matildas achieved equal pay through collective bargaining and industrial action, including a landmark strike.
Systemic support, including public advocacy and legal frameworks, is essential for achieving and maintaining gender equity in sports.
Author: Arianna Amato
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