Introduction: The struggle for equal pay in feminized healthcare professions remains critical today. Despite advancements, significant wage disparities persist, based on broader gender inequalities. This research focuses on a landmark mobilization in Zurich during the 1990s, where occupational therapists, physiotherapists, nurses, and nursing educators fought for wage equality. Their successful legal action in 2001, leading to salary revaluation, exemplifies the impact of collective action and feminist advocacy.
Objectives: This project aimed to document this historic mobilization through a feminist collaborative research approach, producing an audiovisual archive for educational use. The goal was to provide a resource for discussing gender-based wage disparities in healthcare professions.
Methods: Using participatory research methods, including audiovisual techniques, we engaged eight key participants throughout the research process. This facilitated co-construction of knowledge and trust among stakeholders. The engagement of professional associations, notably the Swiss Association of Occupational Therapists and its Zurich section, was crucial in supporting the plaintiffs and broader healthcare workers.
Results: The project resulted in a documentary film, "Wir wollen Taten sehen!" (We Want to See Action!), available in open access. The film captures the narratives of healthcare professionals and their associations, illustrating their struggle for wage equality.
Conclusion: This research highlights the importance of feminist collaborative methodologies in addressing gender-based wage disparities in feminized professions. It provides insights for occupational therapy practitioners and educators on participatory approaches to drive social change and professional recognition. The audiovisual archive serves as a vital educational tool for thematizing and discussing wage inequality issues, fostering deeper understanding and engagement with these critical topics.