The Equal Pay Coalition has succeeded in putting forth amendments to the Putting Students First Act, a controversial piece of legislation that imposes wage freezes on teachers and takes away their right to strike.
The changes ensure that pay equity adjustments are not affected by the compensation freeze under the new legislation. Local 1000A is a member of the Equal Pay Coalition and has been active in advocating for pay equity for decades.
“Pay equity adjustments, whether as a result of existing pay equity plans or ongoing maintenance adjustments are human rights remedies for systemic gender discrimination in compensation,” said Mary Cornish, chair of the Equal Pay Coalition in a letter to the office of the Hon. Laurel C. Broten, Minister of Education and Minister Responsible for Women’s Issues. “They should not be treated as regular ‘compensation increases’ - they are there to ensure that women's work is paid the same as comparable men's work.”
Local 1000A President Pearl Sawyer, who is a member of the Equal Pay Coalition, said the amendment was a victory for women, as it protects their right to pay equity.
“Local 1000A has a proud history of fighting for pay equity and human rights, and these amendments were critical in preventing women’s rights to pay equity from being violated.”
