Working women celebrate huge win after Government agrees to implement landmark Equal Pay Principles

Kiwi women are closer to getting paid what they are worth with the decision by the Government to implement the Equal Pay Principles as successfully negotiated by representatives of working people, business and the Government following the historic victory of aged-care worker Kristine Bartlett in the Supreme Court.

CTU President, Richard Wagstaff was a lead negotiator in the development of the Principles, “I am pleased that the Government is committed to being on the right side of history in making real progress to paying working women what they are worth. This decision is a result of a brave women, Kristine Bartlett and her union E tū, deciding to take on her employer in order to address historic low and pay and gender based discrimination in her industry.”

“These Principles provide a roadmap, a pathway, a practical way forward for working women to increase their pay if they believe that they are not being fairly paid based on their gender.”

“The working group did not agree on the best way to select an appropriate comparator when assessing an equal pay claim. Our view is that the fairest outcome is for the best and most relevant comparator to be selected in each circumstance. The Government has a different opinion and wants to implement a hierarchy of comparators. We do not support this as a starting point. We think that this will waste time and create unnecessary paper work.”

“We are looking forward to working with the Government to ensure that this restriction does not create additional barriers for women taking equal pay claims and that women are able to select the most appropriate comparator for their particular role regardless of who their employer happens to be. The best comparators are the most relevant roles – it’s that simple.”

“This is an historic agreement and is tribute to working collaboratively together – Government, business and working people,” Wagstaff said.

ENDS

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