Former Oil and Gas Corporation director takes pay equity fight to N.L. Supreme Court

A former director of the Oil and Gas Corporation of Newfoundland and Labrador claims the Crown corporation discriminated against her by paying her less than her male counterparts.

The lawsuit, filed in provincial Supreme Court on June 14, says Jeannine Fitzgerald was promoted to the role of finance director on Jan. 1, 2020, making her the only female officer in the company.

The statement of claim alleges Fitzgerald was offered a salary that was smaller than those of her male counterparts by a "significant margin."

It alleges the corporation acknowledged the pay inequity, and promised to adjust the salary and issue Fitzgerald a retroactive payment.

The suit claims those things didn't happen, despite Fitzgerald's repeated appeals to the company's directors, as well as to the government of Newfoundland and Labrador.

The allegations in the lawsuit have not been tested in court, and the province's oil company said in an emailed statement it does not comment on legal proceedings or human resources issues.

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