FREDERICTON -- Some public sector workers in New Brunswick have taken another step towards equal pay, but it will be another six years before an equity adjustment is fully paid out.

Finance Minister Cathy Rogers said Thursday the government has approved the implementation of pay equity adjustments for one of its largest group of employees.

The group, represented by the Canadian Union of Public Employees, includes more than 3,000 workers in the education sector - most of them women.

"In the months ahead our government will continue to address pay equity with other groups so that it is implemented throughout government. Certainly today we can celebrate CUPE 2745, the largest group to benefit from our pay equity program," Rogers said.

The pay adjustments will cost the government $35 million spread over 10 years. The first four years will be paid retroactively, while the rest will be spread over the next six years.

Vallie Stearns Anderson of the New Brunswick Coalition for Pay Equity said it was a "big day" for women and workers in the province, but noted there's a long way yet to go.

"First of all there shouldn't be any pay inequities based on gender at all. But since there is, once it's discovered it should be addressed immediately. We are disappointed that women will have to wait six years to see the full pay equity payout," she said.

Each job category in the public sector must be evaluated before it's determined if there is a pay inequity.

Rogers said private-sector employers are encouraged to examine any wage gap in their organizations and assess whether pay inequity exists.

"We've begun requesting that companies that we do business with, if they are larger companies, that they follow a pay equity initiative. We haven't yet gone as far as provincewide legislation but it is certainly worthy of considering," Rogers said.

Stearns Anderson said she's convinced legislation will be required for the private sector.

"Voluntary measures don't work. What's happened today would not have happened without legislation. It is imperative in our view that legislation be extended equally to all workers," she said.

According to the Canadian Women's Foundation, women who work full-time earn an average of 72 cents for every dollar earned by men.

Prior to winning the last election, New Brunswick Liberals promised to require pay equity plans from organizations with more than 50 employees doing business with government, and to fully implement the province's Pay Equity Act which came into force in 2010.