For Immediate Release
November 12, 2024
NL NDP Leader Jim Dinn (St. John’s Centre) is not shocked by what government found from Pay Equity and Transparency consultations. This is because the NDP Caucus has been saying it since the bill was brought to the House of Assembly.
In Fall 2022, after pressure from the media, government finally introduced Pay Equity and Transparency legislation. Dinn says he was deeply disappointed in it from his first glance at the legislation. The legislation was so weak that the NDP Caucus voted against the bill.
“The NL NDP has pushed for pay equity in the province for many years. We were excited to see the legislation finally coming forward, but when we looked at what government was proposing, it was clear there had been no meaningful consultations,” said Dinn. “It was obvious government wasn’t putting this legislation forward because of any commitment to true pay equity, but because they had been embarrassed by the media. Here we are, two years later, and still nothing has been done.”
Dinn says government should have been aware they were falling short on meaningful consultations way before now. He points to the campaign put forward by the Newfoundland and Labrador Federation of Labour demanding government repeal the bill and give it a complete overhaul, this time with genuine consultations.
“If the Minister listened to the NLFL and the women’s groups who rang the alarm bells about this hollow legislation, they wouldn’t have delayed equity an extra two years. This is a clear example of how government does not listen to unions and those doing work on the ground,” said Dinn. “The NLFL had 10 solid recommendations for the legislation. I hope government truly listens this time and implement these recommendations.
“The Minister says they don’t want to rush the legislation, which they already have done. This additional delay is purely because they don’t want to listen to groups who know the benefits pay equity and transparency can bring. Government wants to keep the scale tipped in favour of employers who would rather not see equitable pay.
“Enough time has been wasted. We need pay equity now.”
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For further information, contact Stephanie Curran, Media and Communications Officer, NDP Caucus at 330-0328 (o), or stephaniecurran@gov.nl.ca