International Women's Day: much to celebrate, much to do

Source: PSA

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Working women in New Zealand have made great strides since last International Women's Day, but there's still more to do, the PSA says.

Today the PSA's female members have much to celebrate.

"By joining together in union, our members have driven significant progress towards equal pay and a fairer deal in the workplace," PSA National Secretary Erin Polaczuk says.

"Today's a day we can take a moment to reflect, and prepare for the final push - towards proper recognition that women workers are Worth 100%."

Ms Polaczuk points out some of the milestones achieved in the past year:

- The $2 billion care and support settlement resulted in a big pay increase for 55,000 mostly female workers

- The aged care worker at the centre of the care and support campaign, Kristine Bartlett, was honoured as New Zealander of the Year

- National's flawed equal pay legislation was ditched by the new Labour-led government, and the reconvened Joint Working Group reaffirmed the equal pay principles, particularly that women should not face unnecessary barriers in bringing a claim

- The government agreed to begin negotiations to extend the care and support settlement to mental health and addiction support workers, who were left out of the original deal

"Today, union members who work in industries affected by pay discrimination will present a petition to Equal Opportunities Commissioner Jackie Blue," Ms Polaczuk says.

"New Zealand has a chance to be the first country in the world to end gender pay discrimination once and for all.

"But we need the support of New Zealanders to do it.

"International Women's Day is the perfect opportunity to remember how far we've come - and gather our energies for the final push."

ENDS

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