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Study debunks myths about public sector wages - all workers falling behind

Provides fact based response to reports to the anecdotal attacks on the public sector from the Canadian Federation of Independent Businesses (CFIB) and other conservative think tanks.

Ottawa (15 Dec. 2011) – A new study released by the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) has found no evidence the average pay of public sector workers in Canada is consistently higher than comparable occupations in the private sector.

The Battle of the Wages: Who gets paid more, public or private sector workers (click here) is a well researched and comprehensive analysis comparing average pay in comparable occupations. The study’s method provides the most accurate snap-shot of how public sector workers pay compares to the private sector.

The results provide a fact based response to reports to the primarily anecdotal attacks on the public sector that originate from the Canadian Federation of Independent Businesses (CFIB) and other conservative think tanks.

James Clancy, National President of the National Union of Public and General Employees (NUPGE), welcomed the specific conclusions of the study and noted that it is important to view them in the larger context of growing income inequality in Canada.

"This study clearly proves what we've been saying for a long time," said Clancy. "Public sector wages are basically on par with their private sector counterparts.” 

"However, what's more important for people to realize is that 99% of all workers, public and private, have been falling behind over the last 30 years, while the top 1% have been getting all the gains of economic growth" added Clancy. 

"Income inequality has been growing rapidly in Canada with the main causes being a sustained attack on labour rights, cuts to public services and spending on tax cuts for wealthy individuals and corporations,” said Clancy.

"The growing gap between rich and poor is the biggest economic and social challenge facing Canada today and this is what groups like the CFIB should be focused on," said Clancy.

More information:

NUPGE

The National Union of Public and General Employees (NUPGE) is one of Canada's largest labour organizations with over 340,000 members. Our mission is to improve the lives of working families and to build a stronger Canada by ensuring our common wealth is used for the common good. NUPGE