Dear pay equity,
After more than two decades of tireless struggle, here we are, wallets reminding us painfully once again of your absence while the cost of living is skyrocketing
Our hearts ache that, despite the long road we've travelled together and the Pay Equity Act, 2009 for the public sector, our love is still not fully enshrined in the bonds of legislation to include the private sector.
To prove its devotion to you, the New Brunswick Coalition for Pay Equity is marking Valentine's Day by launching its "Pay Equity Now" campaign.
On this Valentine's Day, what more could we ask for than to value our work? Pay equity would ensure that everyone is paid for the value of their work, not underpaid on the basis of gender.
We can no longer allow a lack of political will to stand in the way of our love. Which is why we've sent a valentine to every Member of the Legislative Assembly to plead for you, dear pay equity.
And today, we'll be presenting each party leader with a heart-shaped box, filled not with chocolates, but with documents attesting to the benefits of pay equity for all.
Join us!
- 12:00 pm: Liberal Party - 710 Queen St, Fredericton
- 1:00 pm: New Democratic Party - 3 Millennium Drive, Quispamsis
- 3:00 pm: Progressive Conservative Party - 675 King Street, Fredericton (to be confirmed)
- 3:30 pm: Green Party - 96 Secretary Lane, Fredericton
Each political party will have the opportunity to profess its love for you in the next provincial election, by committing to passing pay equity legislation for the private sector. Soon we may be reunited.
What New Brunswick women really want this Valentine's Day isn't flowers or chocolates. It's pay equity. Now!
With love and determination,
The New Brunswick Coalition for Pay Equity
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The New Brunswick Coalition for Pay Equity is a group of individuals and organizations that pursues and ensures the realization of the right to pay equity and to just conditions of work for women. To that end, the Coalition engages in communication, education, research, advocacy for the adoption and the implementation of adequate legislation, as well as public policy dialogue and development.
Pay equity is equal pay for work of equal value. To achieve pay equity, the value of female-dominated jobs must be compared to the value of male-dominated jobs.