Collective Agreement NZ Teachers: A Comprehensive Guide
As a teacher in New Zealand, your employment is governed by a collective agreement negotiated between your union and the Ministry of Education. This agreement sets out the terms and conditions of your employment, including your salary, workload, and leave entitlements. In this article, we’ll explore the key provisions of the collective agreement NZ teachers, and what they mean for you.
Salary
Your salary as a teacher in New Zealand is based on a salary scale, which is set out in the collective agreement. The scale is determined by your qualifications and experience, and there are different rates for primary, secondary, and area schools. The current salary scales can be found on the Ministry of Education website.
In addition to your base salary, you may be eligible for allowances such as a responsibility allowance or a hard-to-staff allowance. These allowances are designed to reflect the additional responsibilities or challenges of certain teaching positions.
Workload
The collective agreement sets out the maximum number of hours you can be required to work each week. For primary teachers, this is 40 hours per week, while for secondary teachers it is 50 hours per week. These hours include both teaching and non-teaching time, such as planning and preparation.
The agreement also provides for a maximum class size of 29 students for primary schools and 32 students for secondary schools. Schools are required to ensure that class sizes do not exceed these limits, except in exceptional circumstances.
Leave entitlements
As a teacher in New Zealand, you are entitled to a range of leave entitlements, including sick leave, bereavement leave, and parental leave. The collective agreement sets out the specific entitlements and conditions for each type of leave.
For example, you are entitled to 10 days of sick leave per year, which can be carried over to a maximum of 20 days. You are also entitled to up to 3 days of bereavement leave per immediate family member, and up to 22 weeks of paid parental leave.
Professional development
The collective agreement recognizes the importance of ongoing professional development for teachers, and provides for a range of opportunities for professional learning and development (PLD). This includes access to school-based PLD, as well as national and regional PLD opportunities.
The agreement also provides for a teacher-only day each year, which is dedicated to professional development and planning. Schools may use these days to provide training on specific topics or to engage in collaborative planning and problem-solving.
Conclusion
The collective agreement NZ teachers is an important document that sets out the terms and conditions of your employment as a teacher in New Zealand. By understanding the key provisions of the agreement, you can ensure that you are being treated fairly and that your employment rights are being respected. If you have any questions or concerns about your rights as a teacher under the collective agreement, be sure to consult your union representative or seek legal advice.