Scoop has an Ethical Paywall
NZEI Negotiates Pay Rise For School Support Staff
NZEI Negotiates Pay Rise For School Support Staff
NZEI Te Riu Roa has negotiated two pay rises for 9000 support staff, who are members of the union, and work in both primary and secondary schools throughout New Zealand.
The support staff and kaiarahi i te reo, who are fluent Maori speakers, work in primary, secondary, intermediate, middle and area schools as teacher aides, administration staff, executive officers, science and IT technicians, librarians, therapists, sports co-ordinators and in many other non teaching roles.
They represent more than 20% of the membership of NZEI Te Riu Roa, the country's largest education union, which also represents primary and early childhood teachers, staff in special education and the schools' advisory service.
The union began negotiating with the Ministry of Education in October. Talks resumed this month and settlement was reached after a further four days of negotiation.
The settlement involves two collective agreements, the support staff in schools agreement, which covers the majority of support staff and a second agreement that covers those who work as kaiarahi i te reo, special education assistants and assistants to teachers of students with severe disabilities.
The key points of the settlements, which are subject to ratification by the support staff, are: • Two pay rises of 2.5%, the first taking affect on January 1 next year, the second from January 5, 2005. • A new section that protects members' rights when their school is involved in a merger as the result of an area review. • An extra week's annual leave available after four years service. This was previously available after seven years service. • A retirement savings scheme, with a contribution from the employer, that will be available to all members covered by the agreements, from July next year.
Support staff will vote in a postal ballot, whether to accept the settlement.
"The union is recommending that members accept this settlement," says NZEI Te Riu Roa Vice President, Colin Tarr.
"We believe the pay
rises, enhanced leave provisions, the retirement savings
scheme and the clearer protection for members who are
involved in future school mergers, represents a good
package," says Colin Tarr.
NZEI Te Riu Roa
New Zealand Educational Institute
NZEI Te Riu Roa members work in every community in New Zealand, leading and advocating for quality public education.
We are the 50,000 principals, teachers and support staff who work in primary, area and secondary schools as well as early childhood centres, special education and school advisory services. We come together as NZEI Te Riu Roa - New Zealand's largest education union, a Treaty based organisation and a powerful advocate for quality public education.
We have the most important job in New Zealand - educating for the future.
Braden Currie: Sets Sights On The Ironman North American Championships In Texas
Whanganui Regional Museum: Historic Wedding Dress Unveiled, A Piece Of Marton’s Heritage
Donovan Ryan: Local Runner Takes Out Frontrunner Christchurch Marathon
University of Auckland: Tributes Flow For Much Loved Pacific Leader Melegalenu’u Ah Sam
NZEI: Ministry Of Education Cuts Will Disproportionately Affect Pasifika
Day One Hapai te Haeata: Call To Action For Young Filmmakers Against The Backdrop Of Funding Cuts