Pay Equity videos launched.

Te Hautū Kahurangi | Tertiary Education Union has launched a series of videos aimed at raising awareness amongst members and non-members who are covered by pay equity claims under the Equal Pay Act 1972 for low paid library, clerical, and administration workers in the university sector.

The three videos feature two TEU members who speak passionately about what the claims mean to them, along with an employer representative who talks about the nuts and bolts of the process and encourages staff to participate.

Ayla Corner, Senior Academic Administrator, Te Kunenga ki Pūrehuroa | Massey University sees inequity in “the value placed on certain types of work as being more important than work that goes unseen.”

“It’s the foundational work that holds the whole structure together, like facilities, cleaning, administration, that’s the foundation that you can build the academic sector on. That’s what gives people the ability to deliver academia and tertiary education.”

“I think pay equity would be a way to compensate and recognise the importance of the work that the rest of the system depends on to function.”

Amy Doran, a Library Assistant at Te Kunenga ki Pūrehuroa | Massey University says “I’m tens of thousands of dollars in debt because of my student loan, and I needed that degree to get this job, and I’m only being paid marginally above minimum wage. And that just feels kind of disrespectful to the mahi I did to get here.”

In his video, Mark Daldorf, Director, People and Capability at Te Herenga Waka | Victoria University, talks about the process of making sure roles that have similar skills, experience, effort required and responsibilities are paid equally. He describes the investigation phase, where staff are interviewed about their roles, as “the critical part of the process” and he encourages employees to get involved.

He says “it would be great to get a number of people who are very keen to go through this process, not just because it’s an important process, but it’s also a good learning experience.”

Amy says “my biggest advice to someone that’s passionate about this mahi would be definitely to get as involved as they can. And to join the TEU.”