‘Sir’ charge a taste of pay inequity
MEN were exposed to a shot of inequality as a Wellington coffee cart charged them 10 per cent more than female customers as part of a pay equity campaign.
The move, run by the YWCA, attracted critical comments online, but organisers hailed it as a success.
The coffee cart was set up yesterday morning on the Victoria Law School lawn, which was as close as organisers could legally get to Parliament Grounds, to highlight their campaign for pay equity.
Long blacks and flat whites cost $3.50 and $4 for women, but $3.85 and $4.40 for men.
YWCA national executive officer Steph Fink said the cart sold about 40 cups of coffee and most people who stopped by were supportive of what the aims to persuade Government to introduce the Pay Equality Bill, drafted by Judy McGregor, the equal employment opportunities commissioner at the Human Rights Commission.
Wellington teacher Alan ProctorThomson said he was passing by when he saw the campaign and instantly knew what it was about. ‘‘It’s a great campaign. I think it [the pay gap] is completely wrong so this is probably a fair deal.’’
Pay Equity Challenge Coalition spokeswoman Angela McLean said the campaign was timely, as there were new figures showing the gender gap had widened.
‘‘We need the Government to own up to the problem. We won’t build a stronger economy and fairer society without valuing the contribution of women, and a real commitment to equal pay and pay equity.’’