‘Arduous years’ end with pay rise
The day before primary teachers and principals were set to strike, the Government announced a 30 per cent pay rise for some education workers.
The pay equity settlement for 329 support workers was sealed by the New Zealand Educational Institute (NZEI) and the Ministry of Education over a cup of tea and slice of cake in the Prime Minister’s office yesterday.
Jacinda Ardern said almost all education support workers were women.
‘‘They do vital work helping young children with severe learning and behavioural challenges to learn. I am delighted to say they will finally be paid fairly for the crucial work they do.’’
Support workers are paid between $16.77 and $19.87 an hour. The settlement will see the minimum hourly rate move to $21.67 with a maximum pay of $24.73 for those who have done four to nine years’ service.
Support workers with 10 or more years’ service on July 1 will move to $25.70 an hour.
The settlement will be formalised within the next month after support workers vote on the deal in the coming weeks.
Ardern said it was about ‘‘fairness’’.
‘‘In 1893, New Zealand led the world by ensuring women had the right to vote.
‘‘In 2018, we are continuing the legacy of justice and fairness that has been the source of such pride for New Zealanders, by continuing progress toward truly equal pay for women.’’
Education Ministry support workers Jacoline Brink, Kathleen Power, Mary Jones and Denise Tetzlaff helped lead the negotiations on behalf of their colleagues. They said the pay equity deal was momentous.
Tetzlaff said it had been 12 ‘‘very long, arduous years’’.