Equal Pay

Library women win

Union wins for all women workers

The ruling, that librarians and archivists were underpaid when compared to workers in male-dominated professions with similar qualifications is the first successful application of the gender pay equity principle.

"The Public Service Association should be congratulated for working so hard to bring about this important decision", said Mr Carey.

It is expected that the decision will be used by other unions throughout the country for the benefit of all women who have not received adequate recognition for their skills.
The decision was also applauded by the NSW Labor Council.

"The union movement worked long and hard with the Carr Government and employer groups to have the principle of gender pay equity recognised," Mr Robertson said.

"Now that it has been applied there is a real avenue for workers in female-dominated industries to have their skills recognised and fairly recompensed.

"Their victory paves the way for other women in the public sector - and ultimately the private sector - to argue their work has been under-valued and gain a fairer pay level."

A full copy of the decision is downloadable at this link http://www.lawlink.nsw.gov.au/ircjudgments/2002nswirc.nsf/d1efd3b3c2f68e05ca256736001f37be/25a3db544012270dca256b8700056d22?OpenDocument

Resources:
A short summary of the Pay Equity Decision (word file File)

© 2001 Community & Public Sector Union - State Public Services Federation (CPSU-SPSF) - National Office

http://www.cpsu-spsf.asn.au/campaigns/women/20020328_73.html
Last Modified: 15 Nov 2005