Chamber of Commerce sues Philadelphia over wage law

The Chamber of Commerce of Greater Philadelphia has filed a lawsuit against the city seeking to block implementation of a new law that forbids asking for an applicant’s salary history before making an employment offer that includes the position’s pay range.

Philadelphia is the first U.S. city to implement such a law, which was to have taken effect May 23. The city agreed to hold off on enacting the law until a federal judge rules on the case.

Comcast, one of the city’s largest employers, lobbied against the law before the Philadelphia City Council approved it.

The company claims the law unconstitutionally abridges free speech rights. The Chamber of Commerce lawsuit seeks proof that the ordinance’s purpose—solving pay equity problems—is worth the restriction on speech.

Comcast and the chamber contend Mayor Jim Kenney and council have not made that case.