News Releases

FREDERICTON (GNB) – The provincial government has approved the implementation of pay equity adjustments for employees in three groups represented by the New Brunswick Union. The decision is part of a commitment to implement pay equity across the government.

“Your government is committed to creating jobs and strengthening our economy to make life better for New Brunswick families,” said Finance Minister Cathy Rogers. “We are also committed to improving pay equity in the province because we believe that paying women fair wages for their work will advance our efforts to create a more equal society.”

Employees receiving these adjustments are professional support workers in schools, specialized health care professionals and medical science professionals.

The commitment equates to $8.4 million over 10 years.

“Pay equity is crucial to ensuring that people are paid for their work in a non-discriminatory way,” said Treasury Board President Roger Melanson. “Wages should reflect the value of the job, regardless of whether it is a male or a female doing the job. I am pleased we are taking this important step to ensure that women in the public sector are being valued and paid fairly for their work.”

Enhancing pay equity has been identified as an area of focus in the New Brunswick Family Plan report on advancing women’s equality.

To date, the Treasury Board has completed eight pay equity studies in Parts I, II and III of the public service for female-dominated groups of employees. Implementing and maintaining pay equity is an ongoing commitment of the provincial government.

“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 union president Susie Proulx-Daigle. “There is still work to be done, however this is a step forward for pay equity in our province.”

“Your government will continue to work toward achieving equality for women in New Brunswick through the implementation of pay equity across all parts of government, including crown corporations,” said Rogers. “We also encourage all private sector employers to examine the wage gap within their organizations and assess whether discrimination or pay inequity exists, and we will continue to look for opportunities to work with the private sector in achieving this important goal.”