Newmarket- The Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU) has claimed one more victory in the fight for pay equity with the latest settlement at Community Living Newmarket/Aurora, OPSEU Local 386.
Three hundred and thirty-nine past and present support workers at the agency will receive pay equity adjustments retroactive to 2010, totaling around $1,390,000. All adjustments will be paid out by January 31, 2018.
“The negotiations went fairly smoothly,” said Kelly Holmes, Local 386 president. “The employer was clear about wanting to fulfill its obligation to fully achieve pay equity, and we were able to agree on a plan within just four meetings.”
The Pay Equity Act, which became law in 1988, requires Ontario employers to identify instances of gender-based wage discrimination and make payments to eliminate it. However, many employers continue to evade their legal obligations, and OPSEU has been working to ensure the law is enforced.
OPSEU President Warren (Smokey) Thomas lauded the work of the members and union staff. “Every single pay equity win brings Ontario another step closer to closing the gender wage gap. I’m proud of my members and staff for their hard work and perseverance.
“I’m very happy that such a large group of workers found justice, and I look forward to many more victories like this one as OPSEU continues the fight to enforce pay equity law.”
OPSEU currently represents 229 members working at Community Living Newmarket/Aurora who provide support for individuals living with disabilities.
For more information: Kelly Holmes, 905-441-6171; Warren (Smokey) Thomas, 613-329-1931