- Sunday, April 11, 1982 - North Shore News oncail o x Institute reverts to ‘sweat shop’ economics Dear Editor: I find it curious to say the least, to read an article in the March 24, 1982 edition of The News by Michael Walker of the Fraser Insti- tute advising working women and their well wishers to look to South Africa as a labour model. Perhaps less curious is the fact that the conservative Fraser Institute, of which Mr. Walker is Director, con- tinues its regression into 19th century economics that gave us the glorious sweat shop, child labour, and the 12 hour day. Mr. Walker queries the notion of equal pay for equal_ work (although it’s been part of federal and provincial policy for decades), even though most working people are discussing equal pay for ‘work of equal value. This principle says that although work done by individuals, men or women, is not always similar, the quality of the skills, education and value to the employer and society are comparable and should be compensated accordingly. Women’s work should not continue to be lowly paid because of the sex of the employee. That is real wage discrimination. Today working people want an end to this wage dis- crimination and wage ghettos that provide women Walker's equal pay article ‘offensive’ fo women workers Dear Editor: Where ignorance is bliss, Dr. Michael Walker of the Fraser Institute must be in paradise. Why in March of 1982 would you give space to a writer who doesn't know the difference between “equal pay for equal work” and “equal pay for work of equal value”? Why would you give space to an argument which puts women in the Canadian work force in the same position as blacks in South Africa? Dr. Walker suggests that women can only hope to break “into a labor force situation which has typically excluded them” by offering their services for a shghtly lower rate than their compe- titors.” Union members in particular, but Canadian citizens in general, should find this argument offensive. In 1977 the Canadian Human Rights Act) sup ported basic equality of opportunity and pay for men and women. Although the average wage for women workers 1s still approxi 2 for iat mately sixty per cent of the average wage for men, several unions (the Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union, and the Public Service Alliance, for example) have negotiated equal-pay increases. Dr. Walker’s remarks indicate either ignorance or callousness, and your paper should not be giving him space on the editorial page. Angrily, Donna Stewart North Vancouver MORE LETTERS PAGE A8 The Canadian Red Cross Societ Tues. -Thurs. only The Sundowner Baked Saimon or Pan-Fried Sole with choice of potato or vegetabie of the day. salad bar, tea, coffee e rice, ssert. Plano entertainment Fri., Sat. & Sun. i { 2 dinners $42.95 Offer expires April 15 e cater to private parties and wecaings up to 80. w Sunday Brunch commences In Ce Sualexnortnof Horseshoe Bay ‘921-8161 mer 59 working full time with an average wage that is only 60% of a male’s wage. By some pretty convoluted arguments and lots of double-talk, Mr. Walker tells working women to take a lesson from Black South Africans whose lives, work- ing conditions and wages are a disgrace to the human race. Mr. Walker expects us to believe the fallacious argument that the Black's ‘acceptance’ of a “slightly (si¢) lower wage than their competittors” will enable them to overcome prejudice and discrimination! Indeed, it is the struggle that Black Africans wage against apartheid and a system that subjugates ‘its peoples that will enable all Africans to live in decency and _ har- mony. We women workers, growing strong and know- ledgeable, are also lodging our campaign to become equal partners in the wage market. Male workers are not our competitors; they are our brothers who have provided strong support for an equal wage for women. Men and women workers find it totally inappropriate that a woman should be paid inferior wages because she 1s a typist, clerk, or hospital attendant. We all know that all work is valuable and that there should be no dis- crimination based on the type of work or the sex of the and last longer Roy's also specialize bedspreads, eiderdowns. 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As workers in schools, offices, libraries, shops, and hospi- tals, we have invaluable skills and provide useful services appreciated by the public. We don't need to prove ourselves on the job: ten-to-one we've been on the job for many years and are the ‘experts.’ Like the blacks in South Africa we've worked for less for too long and for payment read drivel telling us that equal pay for equal work is the cause for our woes! Statistically we know that more and more women are the majority of the poor, unemployed and under- employed people in our society. They are often dependent on an inhuman welfare system, a _ brutal personal relationship, or prostitution for ‘survival.’ With economic indepen- dence, with a decent wage, and yes, with equal pay for work of equal value, women O O DISCOUNT call the types of comfoners etc with will be able to stand shoulder to shoulder with their brothers. 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We can refer you to many jobs done by us on the North Shore FREE ESTIMATES Telephone: 434-5927 or 253-6866 An invitation oO Waldorf Week This series of Open House events will provide parents with an insight into Waldorf education. Classrooms will be open each evening for talks by Waldorf teachers, ‘curriculum demonstrations, and discussion periods. Waldorf Week May 10-15 Evenings 79pm Monday May 10 Pre School and Kindergarten Tuesday May 11 Grades 1, 2.3 Wednesday May 12 Grades 4 5 6 Thureday, May 13 Grades 7 H Friday May 14 CGsrades 9 12 Saturday May 15 A talk by Alan Howard Childrens work on tsplay Teachers will be present to anawel ary chiestions Kefresthwnents The Vancouver WALDORF SCHOOL Pomarvhered 1 4 Merron bois. Ptrert e Bae oe al e bones ferragerr ter. . Sst ache: Se bee me al Norm Vancomer °** 985-7435