"Government has introduced a Bill that will benefit only one individual while there are several others who should be treated the same way," said Grimes. "The changes to the Pensions Act will allow the current nurses union president to buy pension years retroactively to 1996 when she took the position. Government refuses to allow other former presidents to avail of the same benefits, even though there is zero cost to government.

"There is no cost to government since the full cost is borne by the individual and the union, leaving no reason not to extend the same option to other former presidents. Presidents of other unions have had the same pension options for many years."

Grimes is surprised with the refusal of government to extend the benefits to others given the comments of the Minister of Human Resources, Labour and Employment to the Supreme Court ruling on pay equity. "Minister Burke, who is also responsible for the Status of Women, stated yesterday in the legislature that government would like to provide retroactive pay equity but are simply not in the financial position to do so. When I debated this Bill last night and outlined how it would be of no cost to the taxpayer, government still refused to make any changes. As a matter of fact, Ms. Burke left the legislature and refused to participate in the debate.

"They refuse to provide equity to several individuals, all but one of whom is a woman, simply because they don’t want to admit they made a mistake when drafting the Bill.

"I intend to continue to raise this issue in the legislature and put forth an amendment to allow all past nurses union presidents to avail of the same pension options. Government’s stand on equity is a double standard and I intend to hold them accountable."