UFCW Canada Local 1000A welcomes the news that the Ontario government has recognized April 16, 2014 as Equal Pay Day.
The government’s decision comes at a time when Ontario women, on average, are paid 31 per cent less than men for work of equal value.
During the past year, President Sawyer and union member activists have lobbied the Premier and MPPs through the Equal Pay Coalition to acknowledge that the pay gap must be eliminated. The coalition of organizations, of which Local 1000A is a member, seeks the implementation of equal pay for work of equal value both through legislation and collective bargaining.
“The recognition of Equal Pay Day is an important step in eliminating the gender pay gap that exists in Ontario,” said Pearl Sawyer, President of Local 1000A. “However, on its own, this step is not enough. The government needs to take subsequent action through concrete targets and plans to ensure by 2025, we will be living in an Ontario where the gender pay gap is no more.”
Part of the solution to eliminating the gender wage gap is union representation, Sawyer said.
“Unions, historically and today, continue to be at the forefront of advocating for pay equity and fighting for equal pay for work of equal value at the bargaining table,” she said. “Part of the solution of eliminating the pay gap is making it easier for workers to achieve union representation in this province. That is the type of action that will strengthen our families, our communities and our workplaces today and into the future.”
UFCW Canada National President Paul Meinema also pledged to “continue to fight for pay equity at the bargaining table, at the polls and in the streets."
Mary Cornish, Chair of Ontario’s Equal Pay Coalition, said urgent action is needed on the gender wage gap.
“The Equal Pay Coalition has called for an Ontario without a gender pay gap by 2025. We need to hear from the Government what its target and plans are for such closure. It is not enough to recite what has been done to date as those actions have not been enough as evidenced by fact that the gender pay gap increased 3 per cent - from 28 per cent to 31 percent based on the latest years of data available," says Cornish.
Your union is encouraging you to reaffirm your commitment to closing the gender pay gap for good by wearing red and signing a declaration at the Equal Pay Coalition.
You can also make your voice heard on this issue by joining UFCW Canada Local 1000A at the corner of College St and University Ave, Toronto on April 16 from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. We will be raising awareness about the gender pay gap by leafleting at that location. If you are interested in participating, please RSVP Diana O'Brien at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 416.529.4209.
“We need to do what we can to make it clear to the Ontario government that urgent action is needed on this critical issue which affects our families and our livelihoods,” said Diana O’Brien, a Local 1000A activist from a Milton Superstore.
Members of Local 1000A’s Women’s Issues Network will also be handing out Equal Pay Day pamphlets and pins within their regions throughout Ontario.
To find out more about Equal Pay Day, please see the resources below:
Government of Ontario - Equal Pay Day
Equal Pay Coalition- It’s Time for a Fair Ontario
