N.L. Federation of Labour sees benefits in salary disclosure

The idea of releasing salary detailsfor all government employees is getting the backing of one labour group.

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The president of of the Newfoundland and Labrador Federation of Labour told CBCthere are benefits to knowing how much all workers make, not just the highly paid ones.

"If there are great gaps between employers, and employees' salaries, if there's great inequality between certain groups of workers, that information will be helpful for us to ensure there's a greater and equitable share of the whole economic pie," said Mary Shortall Wednesday.

Right now, collective agreements for public employees are available publicly. It lists salaries for each classification.

ButShortallsays that doesn't give the full picture.

"If [an] individual's annual wages far exceed that because of forced overtime or a lot of overtime issues, in a province like Newfoundland and Labrador that has a high unemployment rate for example, we would be able to make the case that employers should be hiring more people rather than jeopardizing the health and safety of workers," she said.

The provincial minister responsible for public engagement, Siobhan Coady, saidgovernment is considering releasing all public salary information as part of a "Sunshine List".

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The previous Progressive Conservative government planned to release a list of all workers who make over $100,000, similar to lists released in Ontario, Alberta and British Columbia.

Pros and Cons

Not all labour groups favour full disclosure.

The Newfoundland and Labrador Teachers Association is OKwith broad salary details being released, butsaidit's going to court to prevent the release of the names of teachers and principals who make more than $100,000.

The remuneration for any employee can be requested through access to information law.

The Liberal government supportsproactively releasing information, but hasn't decided what form that should take.

"It just makes sense for government to formalize it and provide that information," said Opposition MHA Steve Kent, who was minister responsible for public engagement under the previous P.C. government.

"I realize there are some people who are concerned about salary information being out there. It is a matter of public record and the fact is in other provinces where this has happened it's been much ado about nothing."

Kent saidif the Liberals do decide to publish all salaries, not just those over $100,000, he'd support that.

"That was one of the debates we had and some of the feedback we had on the draft plan, so I'm OK either way," he said.

Coady said a decision will be made in the coming months.