Public conversation should be about fairness

Re: Top public-sector earner got $1.2M — April 1

A recent news story seems to be generating lots of public discussion. It was the release of the “sunshine” list, a list of public-sector employees who earn more than $100,000 per year.

I think this story attracts lots of attention because it is about fairness. Usually when the sunshine list gets published, there is lots of chatter about how much so and so is making. I really don’t think the problem is how much some are making, but how little much larger numbers are not earning. When there are public-sector employees who are earning more than $1,600 a day and there are people who are earning less than $16 an hour and employed on a precarious basis, my problem isn’t the ceiling, it’s the floor.

The government of Ontario is undertaking a review of labour laws in the province and has held public hearings on the various issues. The Ontario Federation of Labour has a “Make it Fair” campaign underway to attempt to convince the government that workers in the province deserve a better deal. Why should employees not be given predictable work hours, time off the job for bereavement leave and family emergencies; a minimum wage of $15 per hour, and the right to a fair say on joining a union? These are things that public servants making more than $1,600 a day take for granted. Wouldn’t it be fair if everyone enjoyed the same dignity?

I think the public conversation should not be about who is making how much or who is asking for what, but we should be asking: Is it fair? Dave Eales President, Waterloo Regional Labour Council Kitchener