Atlanta mayor signs equal pay legislation

ATLANTA (AP) Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed is signing legislation to ensure that all female city employees are given equal pay as their male counterparts.

City officials said in a statement that Reed announced the proposed legislation during his Feb. 4 State of the City address and City Council passed it on Tuesday.

Officials say the legislation will allow Atlanta's Department of Human Resources to hire a firm to research city employee salaries and identify discrepancies in compensation between women and men. Officials say the study is expected to be done by the end of June.

Reed says he recognizes discrimination that has stifled women's pay and wants to be proactive in addressing it.