CPIT values staff commitment

CPIT values staff commitment

CPIT is working closely with the Tertiary Education Union (TEU) to update a collective agreement that has seen little change, other than across the board salary increases, since it was agreed in 1993.

Negotiations are underway and CPIT is focusing on reaching an agreement that is mutually beneficial to all parties, according to Director of Human Resources Patsy Gibson.

“We certainly value our staff and their commitment to their work at CPIT, that’s not in question. The staff response to the challenges presented by the earthquakes this year has been amazing and has enabled us to continue with our programmes with the minimum disruption to students’ learning.

“However, for some time CPIT has been signalling the need for change. Our core business is delivering outstanding learning programmes and we need to be able to respond to opportunities as they arise, particularly in the current environment.”

Currently, TEU-affiliated staff members at CPIT are entitled to nine weeks leave per year (five weeks statutory leave plus four weeks leave to be used at the discretion of the individual). However, Gibson said the institute needed more flexibility around staff hours and had proposed the option of buying back discretionary staff leave where necessary on an individual basis. CPIT would pay compensation to buy back discretionary leave.

The institute is also proposing a 4% pay increase from 1 April 2011 and a 2% increase from 1 April 2012 in addition to compensation for any leave buy back.

“We as an institution are saying that the current TEU conditions agreed 18 years ago no longer reflect the current tertiary education environment, and we are seeking to negotiate the necessary changes in a way that is fair to both TEU members and CPIT,” Gibson said.

ENDS

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