Three groups have been added to the list of provincial workers who have now achieved pay equity in New Brunswick.
#NB Finance Minister approves pay equity for 3 groups-school support workers, specialized health care & medical science professionals,$8.4M pic.twitter.com/Lr6sSCEfEk
— 91.9The Bend News (@919TheBendNews) June 27, 2017
The Gallant government has announced $8.4 million in pay equity adjustments over a 10-year period retroactive to 2012.
Finance Minister Cathy Rogers says historically the pay system has been unfair to men and women.
“We pay a group dominated by men a certain wage that is able to support a family. But a group that is dominated by women, they just need the little extra pin money,” she notes.
About 1,000 women are affected by the latest pay equity adjustments who work as professional school support workers along with specialized health care and medical science professionals.
Rogers adds the province is now working with teachers and institutional care workers to achieve pay equity – the only two public sector groups left.
“We are pleased with the results of the study and the resulting pay increases for those found to have been underpaid compared to their male colleagues,” said New Brunswick Union president Susie Proulx-Daigle.
“There is still work to be done, however this is a step forward for pay equity in our province.”
