PAY EQUITY IS AN ISSUE

Times & Transcript Opinion - As published on page D8 on August 30, 2006

Pay equity is an issue

To The Editor:
What do we want? Pay equity legislation.
When do we want it? Now!

Premier Bernard Lord has called an election for Sept. 18. This is a perfect time to demand from our provincial candidates a commitment to pay equity legislation.

What is pay equity? Pay equity is equal pay for work of equal value. Pay equity compares the value of male and female jobs by objectively evaluating the jobs in terms of four factors: skill, effort, responsibility and working conditions. If this value is equal or comparable, then the female job gets the same wages as the male job.

Historically, men and women tended to work in different jobs. But, female jobs are both under-valued and under-paid. This creates a big wage gap between men and women. In 2005, in New Brunswick (according to Statistics Canada, 2006):

· Average hourly rate for men: $16.84
· Average hourly rate for women: $14.43
· The wage gap between men and women is therefore $2.41 or 14.43 per cent less for women.

This is unfair and it is discriminatory. We should not tolerate it.

Why do I want pay equity legislation? Because it will help end poverty for women, for children, for seniors, for everyone.

It seems unconscionable to me that in a province which boasts a financial surplus of $243.6 million for 2005-06, women and children must continue to live in poverty conditions.

Before I vote, I will look at the candidate's commitment to pay equity legislation during this campaign.

We need a leader with a vision for the women of New Brunswick.

Elizabeth Blaney,
Fredericton
(Via e-mail)