Kindy teachers negotiate pay

Kindergarten teachers are the next in line to start negotiations with the Government over pay and work conditions.

Members of the New Zealand Educational Institute (NZEI) Te Riu Roa began talks with the Ministry of Education over the collective agreement yesterday, after the contract expired on May 31.

NZEI spokeswoman Virginia Oakly said pay parity with primary teachers was the key priority for kindergarten teachers – something they had previously achieved. ‘‘Now that primary teachers have secured parity with their secondary colleagues, we’ll be looking to secure the same deal for kindergarten teachers.’’

Kindergarten teachers’ key concerns mirror those of their primary and secondary colleagues, with the union identifying workload, release time and retention of experienced teachers as major issues in the sector. Union members say expectations of kindergarten teachers have grown to become roles as pastoral carers, which require higher skill sets and time to manage.

The union said the ministry had left teachers ‘‘frustrated’’ after delaying talks on the collective negotiation process.

‘‘We’re pleased we’re now finally around the table, but it’s unacceptable that we’re only just beginning negotiations when we’re already more than a month past expiry of the collective agreement,’’ Oakly said.

The kindergarten teachers’ collective agreement states that changes applicable to primary teachers in state and state-integrated schools would lead to notification, consultation and an offer by way of variation to the agreement for kindergarten teachers with pay parity, within the month those changes occurred. It’s likely that the holdup on primary teachers’ acceptance of the Government’s offer delayed the process for kindergarten teachers.

But the clause had effect from the beginning of the agreement to its expiration date. ‘‘Thereafter this clause will cease to apply and shall have no effect.’’

Ministry of Education deputy secretary Ellen MacGregor-Reid said no specific comments would be made, as bargaining was ‘‘actively’’ under way.

Early childhood education teachers and secondary school principals are also due to begin collective agreement negotiations.

Primary, area and secondary school teachers settled on an offer after months of negotiations and strike action. Primary principals unhappy with the latest pay offer delivered letters to the Ministry of Education this week that threatened a boycott.

‘‘We’re pleased we’re now finally around the table.’’ Virginia Oakly, NZEI