PURPOSE:
This historic overview of the Association of Ontario Midwives' advocacy for pay equity will take participants on the AOM’s pay equity journey, full of twists, turns and turbulence, to tell the story of collective gains made through collective action.

DISCUSSION:
In 2013, after years of fighting for fair and equitable pay through government negotiations and public campaigns, Ontario midwives made the bold decision to take the Ontario government to court. Through landmark and precedent-setting decisions, the Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario ruled in midwives’ favour and found that midwives’ human rights had been violated through discriminatory compensation. Following the remedial decision in 2020 that included retroactive and proactive changes to midwives' compensation and government compensation-setting practices, the Association of Ontario Midwives (AOM) continues to advocate for the remedial orders to be implemented. Twelve years after the decision to take legal action, the road to securing fair and equitable pay for midwives continues. But the conclusion of this chapter of Ontario midwifery history is on the horizon, and further gains are expected to be made.

EVIDENCE WHERE RELEVANT:
Not applicable

KEY MESSAGE:
An inspirational and informative session on the collective power of midwives through midwifery association and the fortitude and determination required to fight for fair pay for over a decade. Midwives from across the world will have an opportunity to reflect, ask questions and engage about the impacts of an association standing up for midwives' right to compensation free from gender discrimination. Workforce - MMOC