British Columbia Federation of Labour

Vancouver, B.C.

The leaders of BC's largest women's organizations today issued an open letter to Premier Gordon Campbell condemning his government's decision to repeal the pay equity law and legislation establishing a provincial childcare program.

Campbell betrayed his election commitment to support women's programs, says the letter, which was signed by the B.C. Federation of Labour, the BC Human Rights Coalition, the Vancouver Status of Women, West Coast LEAF and the Aboriginal Women's Action Network.

"With one piece of legislation, you have wiped out two of the most important gains for working women – pay equity and subsidized childcare – and all you have to offer in their place are yet more reviews and studies," the letter says.

"Contrary to your statements, this action does not fulfill the commitments made during the election, because then you claimed to fully support pay equity for women in BC."

The two programs were eliminated in a miscellaneous Statutes Bill introduced and passed last week without warning or consultation with women's organizations.

The full text of the letter follows.

AN OPEN LETTER TO
THE HONOURABLE GORDON CAMPBELL, MLA
PREMIER OF THE PROVINCE OF BRITISH COLUMBIA

Dear Premier Campbell:

We are writing to express our dismay at your betrayal of BC women through the repeal of pay equity and subsidized childcare.

Working women, young women, poor women – all had hope that soon they would have an avenue to achieve equal pay for work of equal value. Your government's repeal of pay equity was not only unnecessary, but also goes against the promises and commitments you made during the election campaign. The repeal of this important piece of legislation was unnecessary, because it would not even have come into full force and effect until 2002.

Contrary to your statements, this action does not fulfill the commitments made during the election, because then you claimed to fully support pay equity for women in BC. Your party also claimed that any actions you took would follow a full and complete consultation with all those affected.

Yes, you stated your intention to review this legislation and pay equity in general, but after years of fighting for access to equal pay, you have put women back to square one. And women have no indication of where you intend to go.

For the grossly underpaid women in our workforce, those who are about to begin working and those who no longer have affordable childcare, your actions give a frightening foreshadow of your intentions.

Although your Attorney General seems to believe pay equity affected only private sector women, this legislation also offered pay equity protection to women working in the broader public service as well.

With one piece of legislation, you have wiped out two of the most important gains for working women – pay equity and subsidized childcare -- and all you have to offer in their place are yet more reviews and studies.

We don't think those studies will help working women put food on the table when they get home from work each night.

We demand you live up to your commitment to the women of this province and let our voices be heard.

Yours truly,

ANGELA SCHIRA
Secretary-Treasurer
B.C. Federation of Labour

ON BEHALF OF:

Susan O'Donnell, Executive Director, BC Human Rights Coalition

Benita Bunjun, Administrator, Vancouver Status of Women

Audrey Johnson, Executive Director, West Coast LEAF

Fay Blaney, Coordinator, Aboriginal Women's Action Network

Susan Harney, Chair, Coalition of Childcare Advocates