Update on actions for gender pay equity salary committee recommendations from Dr. Florentine Strzelczyk

The Joint Gender Equity Salary Adjustment Committee was established by Memorial’s administration and the Memorial University of Newfoundland Faculty Association (MUNFA) in 2019 to address gender-based pay inequity among academic staff members at Memorial. The committee was chaired by Sheila Singleton, retired employee retiree, and its membership included Dr/ Kara Arnold and Dr. Nicole Power (MUNFA appointees), and Dr. Jennifer Lokash and Dr. Ian Sutherland (University appointees). 

Earlier this year, the committee released a report with recommendations to help the university alleviate pay inequity.

When the report was released, Memorial’s academic leadership committed to at least a one-step increase for all tenured, tenure-track and permanent women academic staff members, with those with the most service at the university receiving an additional step.

At the time of the release of the report, there were 299 women in academic staff member roles (excluding term appointments), and an additional 32 who were in administrator roles, therefore not current MUNFA members.

The step increase was set to take effect July 1, 2021, however was delayed for those holding administrator positions due to union concerns about giving the steps while the individuals were not part of the bargaining unit.

I believe that it is inequitable for women academic administrators who were previously members of the MUNFA bargaining unit to have to wait until they return to the bargaining unit to receive a benefit they are entitled to receive.

After consultation with the president, I have determined that women academic administrators who were previously members of the MUNFA bargaining unit, will be provided with the appropriate steps as unanimously recommended in the Joint Gender Equity Salary Adjustment Committee Report.