Educators welcome significant step towards fair pay for women

24 November 2016

Education union NZEI Te Riu Roa welcomes the government’s decision today to implement the Equal Pay Principles, a framework for women workers to address gender pay discrimination.

“NZEI members working as teacher aides or for the Ministry of Education as education support workers have already taken the first steps to address the low pay for their roles. They will be heartened by today’s announcement and avenues opening up to make their pay fairer,” said NZEI National Secretary Paul Goulter.

“We share the concerns raised by the Council of Trade Unions about the best way to select an appropriate comparator when assessing an equal pay claim, and want the simplest and fairest system for women workers to use to address gender discrimination.”

“However, we are pleased to have engaged in a collaborative process with government and business on how to close the gender pay gap and are encouraged by the outcome.”

“We are now looking to the Ministry of Education to take note of the Government’s commitment to addressing pay discrimination, and work with us to ensure that low paid education staff are paid fairly.”

“Congratulations to all the women workers and their unions, including caregiver Kristine Bartlett, who have made significant progress towards equal pay today,” said Mr Goulter.

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