The Carleton University Students’ Association (CUSA) voted to oppose a piece of federal government legislation that allows pay equity to be the subject bargaining – which it said could negatively impact women’s equality in the workplace.

Kandace Price, a co-ordinator at the CUSA Womyn’s Centre, who was not present at the meeting due to illness, put the motion forward at the June 25 meeting. Brittany Smyth acted as Price’s proxy.

The Public Sector Equitable Compensation Act was passed in February by the federal Conservatives as part of Bill C-10. The preamble of the Act states that “women in the public sector of Canada should receive equal pay for work of equal value” and that it is “desirable to accomplish that goal through proactive means.”

The act has been criticized for allowing pay equity to be subject to bargaining and for preventing pay equity complaints from being brought forward to the Canadian Human Rights Commission. Instead complaints are being directed to the Public Service Labour Relations Board.

“It’s an issue that will be affecting students once they start working,” Price said.

The motion passed by CUSA requires Nick Bergamini, CUSA vice-president (student issues), to write a letter to Parliament’s 308 MPs informing them of CUSA’s opposition.

Although Bergamini said some of the details in the motion were vague.  

“The motion just stated talking points from the Public Service Association of Canada,” said Bergamini. “The person who moved it had not done their research.”

“I’ll definitely make sure the facts are correct [in the letter],” Bergamini said.

But not all students agree with CUSA’s decision to take a stance on a political issue.

“This is the same thing that happened in Shinerama – they passed an overly political motion without understanding the issue,” said Dean Tester, who was present at the meeting. “What place is it of CUSA to pass motions condemning or praising the actions of the federal or provincial government?”

CUSA president Erik Haliwell said that members of council are required to inform themselves on the issue presented at council. He believed proper debate was carried out before the vote.

“If there’s an issue that affects students it’s absolutely within the prevue of CUSA to comment,” Haliwell said, noting that pay equity is an issue that affects Carleton students.

In general, Bergamini also said did not feel it was CUSA’s role to “take stands” on government policies and actions, though he said he made an exception in this case and voted for the motion “in the principle of supporting pay equity, if not the closer details of the motion.”

“A lot of Carleton students feel it’s an important women’s issue, and a lot of students will be going on to work in the public sector,” Bergamini said.

However, Bergamini questioned the timing of CUSA’s decision.

“If this was important, why were they not working on it in February?” Bergamini said.

Price said the slower summer months gave the Womyn’s Centre time to address the issue.