Breakaway principals union seen as divisive
Northland principals believe new union will be detrimental to NZPF and NZEI
The Tai Tokerau Principals’ Association (TTPA) president strongly opposes the formation of Primary Principals’ Collective Bargaining (PPCB) union, and says it creates a divide between teachers and principals.
New Zealand Principals’ Federation (NZPF) formed breakaway union PPCB late last month and the decision was not welcomed by a few principals in Northland, including TTPA president and Whanga¯rei’s Hora Hora Primary School principal Pat Newman.
Newman said he was firmly against the proposal of starting a union purely representing principals when NZEI (New Zealand Educational Institute) already represented principals and teachers.
“I am a member of both organisations (NZEI and NZPF) because firstly I have been a principal for 41 years, but I have been a teacher for 45 years.
“And secondly, I believe this is actually weakening our profession by creating this line.”
Newman said they weren’t given complete information with regards to funding, the use of NZPF Funds to set it up as a company and cover all its costs in the interim, safeguards for NZPF if this outfit fails, and the reason the new union was formed.
“. . . we have the right to know all the details before we put votes in it.”
He anticipated the union would result in the loss of 200 to 300 principals from NZPF.
“As a result, the NZPF will have a lessening of the income they get which will affect their working.
“Those bodies are very important to me, but it is a matter of principle for me.”
Newman had not resigned from the organisation, but will not be paying the membership fees.
“NZPF have decided to split our profession, some principals will stay with NZEI and some would join the new union, which will weaken us.”
“I believe we are first teachers because we are part of the teaching
profession.” But NZPF president Perry Rush said the establishment of the PPCB union was in response to a nationwide roadshow the NZPF undertook last year.
“Principals met in 17 separate regional meetings from Whanga¯rei to Invercargill. Principal members across the country expressed their firm views about wanting a stronger voice in collective bargaining of their employment terms and conditions.
“The PPCB is, therefore, a membership-driven initiative. It has been established and now it is up to NZPF members to make their own decisions about joining.”
However, Newman said the consultation involved votes, and they basically asked for votes without giving
sufficient information.
A survey issued in May found 81.5 per cent of respondents (885) would be most likely to join a bespoke principals union, should it become an established option.
“The whole thing to me is that there was no need for this to happen. Personally, I think those doing or leading it have forgotten that they are teachers first and principals second.
“If we wanted protection for employment matters, we will be paying both the unions, which does not really make sense. This new union is only for contract negotiations and it is not logical for me.”
Kaeo Primary School principal Paul Barker, a member of NZPF for 15 years, also opposed the idea of a
breakaway union and had resigned from NZPF at the start of this year.
Barker said he had attempted to work with NZPF, but to no avail and he could not in conscience be a member of an organisation that he felt was working against the collective nature of the current union.
Barker said NZPF always had a role in collective agreement negotiations and a position on the NZEI Principals Council.
“There has never been an example of a union split that has seen an improvement for wages and conditions for workers – this will only lead to NZEI being weaker and NZPF being weak. There is no need for this union. I choose to remain with NZEI and will not join the new union.”