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Can you imagine having to work more than 15 months to earn what men do in only 12?
That is exactly what average women must do in Canada. It’s time to close the gender pay gap!
Join Unifor in marking Equal Pay Day, because the average annual earnings of all workers reveal the full story of women’s economic inequality and it’s not a good one. This day is set each year and marks how far into the next year women must work, to earn what men did the previous year.
In 2018, Equal Pay Day is marked on Tuesday, April 10. While the Ontario government is the only government in Canada that recognises Equal Pay Day, women in all regions face discrimination through lower wages. Active intervention for real change and equality for women is needed, so let’s make some noise.
On Tuesday April 10, wear red. Send a message to tell the government, business owners and all employers to change wage practices that drive women’s economic inequality and poverty.
Together we need to say enough is enough, it's time for gender inequality. Take action to close the gap. Here are four things you can do.
- Wear red on April 10 and send us your photo. It can be a selfie or group photo with other Unifor members. Email it to @email.
- Share these graphics to show how to Close the Gap.
- Join or host an Equal Pay Day event and bring your Unifor flag.
- Contact your provincial and federal representatives and ask that they take meaningful actions to finally end the gender wage gap.
It is a fact that throughout Canada women make roughly 30% less than men. But, this wage gap is larger for women who face systemic discrimination based on their race, sexual orientation or identity; Aboriginal women, workers of colour, lesbian, bisexual and transgender women, and women with a disability are suffer the most by the wage gap. Impacting this gap is that women make up 60% of minimum-wage workers and 70% of part-time workers.
To address income inequality and lift women up from poverty Unifor supports a diversity of demands to close the gender wage gap across Canada. Unifor is active and mobilizing to: advocate for a $15 minimum wage in every province, reform the outdated employment standards legislation, establish an easier path to unionization with card check certification, universal access to public child care and open up opportunities for women in underrepresented sectors.
