Society offer of 0%, 0% and 2% amounts to a significant pay cut when discounted for inflation
Saskatoon (26 May 2006) - Workers at the Elizabeth Fry Society picketed their head office in Saskatoon this week over stalled contract negotiations and a poor wage offer.
"We are extremely frustrated with the employer’s current offer of 0% for 2004, 0% for 2005, and 2% for 2006," says Kim Barnes, chair of the bargaining unit. "This is a far cry from the government’s promise of increases of 3%, 3% and 3% for the CBO (community-based organization) sector."
The offer amounts to a significant pay cut when discounted for the impact of inflation over the three-year contract period.
The Elizabeth Fry Society is contracted to operate the Women’s Community Training Residence (WCTR) in Saskatoon. The department of Corrections and Public Safety operates the men’s CTRs in Prince Albert, Regina, and Saskatoon.
WCTR staff start at $13.79 per hour; staff at the men’s CTR start at $20.30 per hour. The top rate for female CTR staff is $14.91 per hour, compared with the top rate at the men’s CTR of $25.44 per hour. Inferior pensions and benefits are also outstanding issues.
“It is totally unacceptable that experienced female CTR staff earn only 59% of their male counterpart," says Bob Bymoen, president of the Saskatchewan Government and General Employees' Union (SGEU/NUPGE).
"We are calling on government, and the Minister of Corrections and Public Safety in particular, to redress this imbalance immediately. This is a pay equity issue that needs immediate attention,” says Bymoen.
Workers at the Elizabeth Fry Society work with women who have been incarcerated or who are in conflict with the law. They are responsible for helping women navigate the court system and with reintegration into society. NUPGE
Digg
Reddit
Facebook
Twitter
Google
