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A pay equity study in 2005 found that some female city librarians were paid an average of eight per cent less than men who worked in comparable jobs.

The tribunal ruling, which came last week, reversed an earlier order by a provincial pay equity officer who determined that the library had achieved pay equity in female-dominated jobs when it signed a contract with the union representing those workers, CUPE Local 503, in 2006.

The union subsequently challenged the officer’s decision, arguing that the wage adjustments granted through arbitration for male-dominated jobs resulted in a “wage gap” between male and female workers in comparable positions.

In its ruling last week, the tribunal recognized the union’s position and ordered the library to pay the same percentage wage increases the arbitration board awarded Local 503’s inside/outside bargaining unit for the years 2005, 2006, and 2008.

The library, with an annual budget of about $45 million, has 460 full-time equivalent staff. Most are represented by Local 503.

The union has told its members the tribunal ruling means some will receive a pay increase and retroactive earnings going back to 2005.

On Tuesday, library board chairman Tim Tierney, councillor for Beacon Hill-Cyrville, greeted the tribunal ruling positively, saying the board was quite willing to comply with the tribunal order.

However, he and the other board members also approved a motion to have library staff rework their previously submitted draft 2015 budget in light of the changed circumstances.