CPIT Negotiating ‘More Than Fair’ Conditions

CPIT remains committed to negotiating a fair deal with the Tertiary Education Union (TEU) after TEU-affiliated staff at CPIT voted for strike action today.

“It is regrettable for students that this action has been taken on the first day of semester two given the disruptions they have already faced so far this year,” CPIT Director of Human Resources Patsy Gibson said.

“We are offering what we consider to be more than fair conditions and a 6% across the board pay rise over two years.

“There has been very little change to the current agreement since 1993 and for some time we have been seeking to update it. This is something we have been negotiating for several years and the current environment post-quakes highlights the need for CPIT to have more flexibility, which is fair to the institution, students and the staff. The government, industry and our community are looking to us to train more people to assist with the rebuild of Christchurch and we are committed to delivering that.”

Currently, TEU-affiliated staff members at CPIT have nine weeks leave per year (five weeks annual leave plus four weeks leave to be used at the discretion of the individual). CPIT wants the option of buying back up to three weeks of discretionary staff leave, only if required. This would be negotiated on an individual basis, if required, and would be compensated at 2% of the staff member’s annual salary for each week bought back. This compensation is in addition to a 6% pay rise - 4% pay increase backdated from 1 April 2011 and a 2% increase from 1 April 2012.

ENDS