Gender pay rise for CEO ‘madness’

The Dunedin City Council voted behind closed doors to increase its chief executive’s salary by nearly $60,000, putting it closer in line with her male counterparts.

The move increased Dr Sue Bidrose’s annual salary to $444,000 – a 14.7 per cent jump.

The increase, which was made public this week, was slammed by the Taxpayers’ Union as a ‘‘stuff you’’ to local ratepayers.

Mayor Dave Cull said the remuneration reflected Bidrose’s outstanding performance.

Cull, who is standing down at this year’s election, said Bidrose had been earning below market value and her pay rise sent a strong message about addressing the gender pay gap. ‘‘In my view, it is simply not right that a female chief executive be paid less than male chief executives working in comparable or smaller roles.’’

Cull said Bidrose did not want to accept the 14.7 per cent increase, but it was warranted, particularly as when she was appointed to the role in November 2013, her remuneration was only 85 per cent of her predecessor Paul Orders’.

Until this year, Bidrose had declined or requested her pay rise be the same percentage as that given to the rest of council staff – generally about 2 per cent.

Jordan Williams, of the Taxpayers’ Union, asked why the council granted a pay rise Bidrose did not want. ‘‘This is not virtuous; it’s financial madness.’’

Councillor Lee Vandervis, who is running for mayor, was at the meeting about Bidrose’s pay rise and asked that his vote – against the increase – be recorded. Vandervis said he raised Bidrose’s opposition to the increase as ‘‘it showed really good leadership on her part’’.

Bidrose said her absolute preference was to continue to receive salary increases in line with her staff, but she understood the council’s decision.

The salary increase, which includes Kiwisaver contributions, was effective from November 23, 2018.