Tacoma-Pierce County Public Health Employees Ass'n v. Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department

This appeal raises one question: whether, in the circumstances presented, RCW 49.60.180(3) creates a cause of action for sex discrimination when an employer pays men employed in certain positions higher wages than women employed in other, dissimilar positions alleged to be of equal or greater worth. The trial court answered in the negative and granted summary judgment. We affirm.

The facts are undisputed. The plaintiffs are female employees of the Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department. They hold jobs which women have traditionally staffed: licensed practical nurse, public health nurse, public…