From: Rachel Arsenault
Date: 29 July 2008
Subject: Women contribute much to society!
As a student with some work experience under my belt, who is about to embark on a career in a predominantly female field... I wonder what is in store for me in the future. I am very proud to have studied in the field that I feel will utilize some of my best qualities, such as empathy, relationship building, caring for others, and fighting for those who don't necessarily have a strong voice. It is frustrating though, that these qualities - so often demonstrated by men and women in my field - are not valued highly in society. So many women, are working in so many different fields, working with marginalized groups and are living with wages that are not even close to fair. Women are very often found helping others, but who is helping them? Our society undervalues their efforts, because helping people doesn't make money. It doesn't line anyone's pockets. But what it does do is promote the greater good. I am so grateful for those who came before me and paved the way for my freedom and independence. Women have come a long way, but the very fact that pay inequity still exists, says that we have a long road to equality.
From: Amanda George
Date: 5 March 2008
Subject: Fair Pay?
I had the opportunity to work for the New Brunswick Coalition for Pay Equity this summer and I was shocked by pay gaps in our province. Seventy per cent of women in New Brunswick are employed in traditionally female sectors, such as nursing and secretarial positions. These jobs are very important for our society, yet are often taken for granted by the very people they benefit. I believe that the prevailing societal attitude is that women are naturally predisposed to be proficient in certain areas, and are therefore neither appreciated not sufficiently remunerated for traditional “women's work.” On average, females in New Brunswick earn $0.85 for every dollar earned by New Brunswick males. Even female university graduates in N.B earn an average of 18% less than male university graduates. A famous example of pay inequity is that of a zoo keeper who earns more than an early childhood educator. Both are trained positions of equal importance, so why should the salary of early childhood educators place them just above the poverty line? I think that it's about time that the provincial government adopts a pay equity law, as promised during the pre-election campaign. Women deserve to be paid fairly. Equality for all – in this case in the form of pay equity – is not a luxury, but a right guaranteed by the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. Let's push our politicians to keep their promises.
Amanda George is a former student at the Université de Moncton now living in Halifax.
From: Janice Gray
Date: 18 February 2008
Subject: Pay Equity Law Needed
The recent focus on child care services in New Brunswick has brought to light the fact that educators working in this field are grossly underpaid. This is not surprising, since caring for children has always been a woman's traditional duty; as a result, it is still regarded as “women's work” . Long thought of as a simple labor of love, it is not deemed important enough to warrant a proper salary.
This is true of many jobs predominantly held by women. Since they tend to cluster in fields linked to traditional female roles, their work is often underrated and therefore underpaid. Women are then punished for choosing professions that are nevertheless quite invaluable. Who can dispute the need for child care educators, nurses, teachers, sales clerks, or cashiers in our society?
This is why the government needs to adopt a pay equity law. Job evaluations would bring to light the fact that work traditionally done by women is often difficult and complex. As a result, salaries would be adjusted to reflect its true value, eliminating the long-standing influence of gender based discrimination. Without a law, employers may not bother with this process, and changes may never be made. In order to achieve pay equity, we must implement legislation now.
Janice Gray is a student at the Université de Moncton in Moncton.
From: Laurie Anctil
Date: 18 February 2008
Subject: Child Care Educators are Underpaid
Recently, there has a lot of talk about the flaws in our child care system. The truth is that New Brunswick child care educators are underpaid. They earn a little over $8 an hour ($12 if they are trained). This is unacceptable! After all, these women contribute to the education of our children! Everyone agrees that education is very important. Politicians always promise to provide more funding in this area.
So why do some child care educators have to work two jobs in order to live comfortably? I think this is discrimination. In theory, men and women are equals; however, in practice, this is not true. Today, jobs traditionally held by men are still more highly paid than jobs traditionally held by women. Child care educators, teacher assistants and caregivers play a very important role in society: they take care of people. Yet, their work remains less valued than a technician's work.
What kind of message is being conveyed by society? Is working with machines valued more highly than working with people? I think we, as a society, should rethink our priorities. Pay equity, equal pay for work of equal value, is not only a basic human right, but also an obligation towards women, children and the entire population. New Brunswick needs a law on pay equity now!
Laurie Anctil is a student at the Université de Moncton in Moncton.