Primary Teachers' Collective Agreement

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Primary Teachers' Collective Agreement 2023–2025 [PDF, 1.1 MB]

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Changes to the Primary Teachers’ Collective Agreement 2023-25

Appendix 9: Terms of Settlement

Primary Teachers' Collective Agreement
Effective: 3 July 2023 to 2 July 2025

  • Terms of Settlement
    • This section sets out the components of the settlement of the Primary Teachers’ Collective Agreement (PTCA) 2023–2025.

      This agreement has been settled between the Secretary for Education and the NZEI Te Riu Roa. It shall be subject to ratification by NZEI TRR members pursuant to section 51 of the Employment Relations Act 2000.

      The terms outlined in this document are valid for ratification by NZEI TRR provided ratification is confirmed and the new collective agreement is signed no later than 5pm on 12 May 2023.

      1. Term of agreement

      The Primary Teachers’ Collective Agreement (PTCA) 2023–2025 shall be effective from 3 July 2023 until 2 July 2025, provided it is signed no later than 19 June 2023.

      2. Remuneration for Trained Teachers

      The parties agree that the Unified Base Salary Scale for Trained Teachers will be renewed for the term of the agreement and will provide three increases: 6% or $4,000 effective from 3 July 2023, a second increase of 3% effective 12 months later and a third increase of variable percentage effective from 2 December 2024, which lifts the top step to $100,000.

      Additionally, from 2 December 2024, step 1 and 2 of the salary scale will be merged and the new minimum rate is $60,735. These increases and changes are shown below:

      Unified Base Salary Scale for Trained Teachers:

      Step Qualification
      Group
      Current
      rates
      Rates effective
      from
      3 July 2023
      Rates effective
      from
      3 July 2024
      Step Qualification
      Group
      Rates effective
      from
      2 Dec 2024
      1 Q1E, Q2E, Q3E  $51,358  $55,358 $57,019 NEW
      Step 1*
      Q1E, Q2E, Q3E $60,735
      2   $53,544 $57,544 $59,270
      3 Q3+E $55,948 $59,948 $61,746 2 Q3+E $63,187
      4 Q4E $58,133 $62,133 $63,997 3 Q4E $65,416
      5 Q5E $61,794 $65,794 $67,768 4 Q5E $69,150
      6   $65,776 $69,776 $71,869 5   $73,307
      7   $70,040 $74,242 $76,470 6   $77,786
      8   $75,190 $79,701 $82,092 7   $83,197
      9   $79,413 $84,178 $86,703 8   $88,000
      10 Q1M, Q2M, Q3M $85,490 $90,619 $93,338 9 Q1M, Q2M, Q3M $94,500
      11 Q3+M, Q4M, Q5M  $90,000 $95,400 $98,262 10 Q3+M, Q4M, Q5M $100,000

      3. Remuneration for Untrained Teachers

      The parties agree to increase the minimum and maximum pay rates for untrained teachers, as shown below: 

      Step Printed Rates
      1 July 2021
      Rates from
      1 April 2022
      Rates from
      3 July 2023
      Rates from
      3 July 2024
      Rates from
      2 Dec 2024
      Minimum $42,957 $44,096 $49,192 $50,668 $52,468
      Maximum $44,847 $44,847 $51,192 $52,728 $54,528

      4. Increase to the maximum salary step for relief teachers

      The parties agree to increase the maximum salary step cap for short term relief teachers, as referred to in clause 3.23.3, from the current step 6 to the current step 7 from 28 January 2024 (which will become the new step 6 from 2 December 2024).

      The parties also agree to meet regularly to discuss reliever employment issues including remuneration during the term of the collective agreement. The parties will work together to agree a terms of reference within two months of ratification of the collective agreement.

      5. Increase to classroom release time for all full-time primary teachers

      The parties agree to increase classroom release time (CRT) for all full-time primary classroom teachers by one hour and thirty minutes per week (i.e.,15 hours per term) over the term of the collective agreement. This will provide full-time teachers with two and a half hours per week or 25 hours of classroom release time per term. Part-time teachers employed for at least 0.8 FTTE per week will also be entitled to CRT, on a pro-rata basis.

      The parties agree to phase in the increases to CRT by adding:

      • 5 hours per term from Term 1, 2024
      • 5 hours per term from Term 3, 2024
      • 5 hours per term from Term 1, 2025

      6. Classroom release time for teachers with one or more permanent units

      The parties agree to provide one hour of classroom release time per week for classroom teachers who hold one or more permanent units, effective from Term 1, 2025. This will provide eligible teachers with an additional 10 hours of classroom release time per term.

      7. Increase the unit value by $500

      The parties agree to increase the unit value rate from $4,000 per annum, to $4,500 per annum, from 28 January 2024. 

      The parties agree that the following shall apply if a collective agreement applicable to teachers in the state or integrated school sector is ratified (or varied) during the period commencing on the date these terms of settlement are signed and ending on 31 July 2025 that provides for unit values above $5,000:

      1. The Secretary for Education shall offer the increase in unit amount that is above $5,000 to the National Secretary of NZEI Te Riu Roa via a variation within one month of ratification/variation of the other collective agreement.
      2. The National Secretary of NZEI Te Riu Roa shall, within one month of receipt of the offer described in above, advise the Secretary for Education whether NZEI Te Riu Roa wishes to accept such offer. The parties agree that upon receipt of NZEI's acceptance of the offer the PTCA shall be deemed to be varied pursuant to clause 1.5 in the terms outlined in the offer as advised by the Secretary for Education.
      3. For the avoidance of doubt, the unit value will increase by the amount in excess of $5,000 upon the signing of the variation, whether the base unit value is $4,000 or $4,500.

      For example: if the unit value in another Collective Agreement rose to $5,200, the Secretary would offer an increase of $200 to the pre-existing unit value in the PTCA.

      8. Māori Immersion Teaching Allowance (MITA)

      The parties agree that the Māori Immersion Teaching Allowance (MITA) for immersion level 1 and 2 will increase from Term 3, 2023, as shown below:

        Current 
      Rates
      Rates from
      17 July 2023
      Current
      Rates
      Rates from
      17 July 2023
      Current
      Rates
      Rates from
      17 July 2023
      Teaching time
      curriculum
      taught in
      Te Reo Māori
      Level 1
      (81%-100%)
      Level 1
      (81% to 100%)
      Level 2
      (51% to 80%)
      Level 2
      (51% to 80%)
      Level 3
      (31% to 50%)
      Level 3
      (31% to 50%)
      Base allowance $4,000 $6,000 $4,000 $5,000 $4,000 $4,000
      After 3 years'
      service
      + $2,000 + $4,000 - + $2,000    
      Total after 3 years'
      service
      $6,000 $10,000   $7,000    
      After 6 years'
      service
      + $4,000 +$6,000 - + $3,000    
      Total after 6 years $8,000 $12,000 $4,000 $8,000 $4,000 $4,000

      9. Pacific Bilingual Immersion Teaching Allowance (PBITA)

      The parties agree to introduce a Pacific Bilingual Immersion Teaching Allowance (PBITA) for immersion levels 1 and 2, effective from the start of the 2024 school year, as shown below:

        From 28 January 2024 From 28 January 2024
      Teaching time that curriculum is
      taught in a Pacific language
      Level 1 (81% to 100%) Level 2 (51% to 80%)
      Base allowance $4,000 $4,000
      After 3 years' service + $2,000 + $1,000
      Total after 3 years $6,000 $5,000
      After 6 years' service + $4,000 + $2,000
      Total after 6 years $8,000 $6,000

      10. Additional Payments

      The parties agree to the following additional payments:

      • $710 payable to all NZEI TRR member teachers which has been calculated to provide a net of tax amount broadly equivalent to renewal of a teaching practicing certificate during the term of the agreement. This will be paid in full for part time and short term-relievers.
      • $3,000 for full-time teachers. This is pro-rated for part-time and short-term relievers
      • $1,500 for full-time NZEI TRR member teachers. This is pro-rated for part-time and short-term relievers.

      The parties agree to the following clause wording regarding additional payments:

      1.8 Additional Payments

      1.8.1  The parties to this Agreement recognise the value in their ongoing and productive relationship, including their joint efforts to give effect to building an environment in which the teaching profession is highly regarded, sustainable, and is fit for now and the future of learning. Collective bargaining is a key part of those joint efforts. In recognition of the benefits arising out of the parties’ relationship, including NZEI Te Riu Roa’s role in negotiating terms and conditions for primary teachers, each teacher who is a member of NZEI Te Riu Roa and is bound by this Agreement as at 12 June 2023 will be paid:

      1. a one-off gross payment as follows:
        1. Full time teachers: $1,500
        2. Part time teachers: A pro-rated payment based on their full-time teacher equivalent (FTTE) as at 12 June 2023
        3. Short-term relievers, as defined in clause 1.6.9: a pro-rated payment, based on the total number of days worked between the start of Term 4, 2022 and 12 June 2023, and provided at least one day of short-term relief teaching was worked in Term 1 or 2, 2023.

      A teacher may be eligible to have the payment calculated under more than one category. The minimum payment for any teacher, regardless of FTTE, will be $150, and no teacher shall receive more than $1,500 gross in total.

      1. A further $710 one off gross payment (the Teaching Council fees payment). Short-term relievers, as defined in clause 3.27.1(a), will receive the payment provided at least one day of short-term relief teaching was worked in Term 1 or 2, 2023. The Teaching Council fees payment is not pro-rated, but each teacher is only entitled to be paid it once. This means that if a teacher holds another teaching role(s) under coverage of this or another collective agreement, they will still only receive one Teaching Council fees payment. In such a case the Teaching Council fees payment shall only be paid to the teacher under the collective agreement binding the employee which is ratified first.

      1.8.2  Employees who are bound by this Agreement as at 12 June 2023 and on that day were on approved unpaid leave under Part 4 of this collective agreement are entitled, upon application, to receive the payments on their return to their position providing that they return on or before the end of Term 1, 2024 or on or before Term 1, 2025 for those on parental leave. The payment will be based on the teacher’s FTTE as at their last working day before going on leave.

      1.8.3  Additional payments for all teachers

      A one-off gross payment of $3,000 will be paid to all full-time teachers employed on 12 June 2023.

      The payment will be pro-rated for part-time teachers based on their full-time teacher equivalent (FTTE) as at 12 June 2023.

      Short-term relievers, as defined in clause 1.6.9, will receive a pro-rated one-off gross payment, based on the total number of days worked between the start of Term 4, 2022 and 12 June 2023, and provided at least one day of short-term relief teaching was worked in Term 1 or 2, 2023. A teacher may be eligible to have the payment calculated under more than one category. The minimum payment for any teacher, regardless of FTTE, will be $300, and no teacher shall receive more than $3,000 gross in total.

      1.8.4  Employees who are bound by this Agreement as at 12 June 2023 and on that day were on approved unpaid leave under Part 4 of this collective agreement are entitled, upon application, to receive the $3,000 payment on their return to their position providing that they return on or before the end of Term 1, 2024 or on or before Term 1, 2025 for those on parental leave. For the $3,000 payment, the amount payable will be based on the teacher’s FTTE as at their last working day before going on leave.

      11. Increase to motor vehicle allowance rate

      The parties agree to increase the motor vehicle allowance provided in clause 5.6, from 62 cents per kilometre, to 83 cents per kilometre, from 3 July 2023.

      12. Central payment of beginning teacher full certificate fees

      The parties agree that the Ministry of Education will pay the Teaching Council of Aotearoa New Zealand directly for any fees incurred by beginning teachers when moving from provisional to full certification, over the term of the collective agreement. (For the avoidance of doubt, this entitlement does not apply during any period that the collective continues in force under s 53 of the Employment Relations Act 2000).

      13. Cultural Leadership Allowance

      The parties agree to close the Advanced Classroom Expertise Teacher allowance (ACET) to new applicants and repurpose the unused funding to introduce 1,200 Cultural Leadership allowances at $5,000 per annum. The purpose of these allowances will be to build staff capability and cultural leadership in schools and kura, for example a holder of the allowance may coach their peers through engagement with whānau and iwi or Pacific communities, and/or the incorporation of mātauranga Māori into their practice. This will come into effect from 28 January 2024, enabling the parties to determine criteria for accessing the allowance and to work through other related administrative requirements. We expect any final guidance and eligibility criteria to reflect the position that cultural skills and competencies are a responsibility of all kaiako. 

      14. Sick Leave

      The parties agree to improve the existing sick leave entitlements.

      15. Maramataka Calendar

      The Ministry is supportive of boards who apply to the Ministry to have their school calendar changed to the Maramataka calendar.

      Once a new legislative framework is in place enabling schools to seek to change to the Maramataka calendar, we will meet with you to discuss a variation to the collective agreement.

      16. LSC role recognition and clarification

      The parties agree to recognise the valuable role of the Learning Support Coordinator in the Primary Teachers’ Collective Agreement at clause 3.36.

      The parties intend that the employment conditions for Learning Support Coordinators across state and state integrated schools are consistent. Should additional terms and conditions for Learning Support Coordinators be agreed in the ratification or variation of another Collective Agreement covering teachers in state or state-integrated schools, the Secretary for Education shall offer these conditions to the National Secretary of NZEI TRR via a variation within one month of ratification/variation of the other collective agreement. This shall apply starting from the date these terms of settlement are signed and continuing through the term of this Agreement only. (For the avoidance of doubt, this entitlement does not apply during any period that the collective continues in force under s 53 of the Employment Relations Act 2000.)

      17. Kāhui Ako Within School Teacher allowances

      The parties agree to changes in how schools in the Kāhui Ako can more flexibly allocate the current within school teacher allowances by dividing up to 50% of these into responsibility allowances worth $2,000 per annum (and no less than 50% as within school teacher allowances worth $8,000 per annum).

      18. Entitlement clarification and readability

      The parties agree to other clause wording which updates and/or improves readability to entitlements for Removals Expenses, Parental Leave, Parental Grant, Disregarded Sick Leave, as well as for facilitating RTLB cluster lead school changes.

      19. Annual Holidays changes

      The parties agree to meet over the term of the agreement to progress changes to annual leave provisions. The parties’ intention is that teachers’ entitlements to correctly calculate payments for annual holidays under the Holidays Act are met, while minimising record keeping requirements for teachers and schools and making minimal changes to the way in which teachers use their time during the remainder of school vacations.

      Any agreed changes will be incorporated into the collective agreement by the way of a variation.

      20. Related matters

      We note that the Education Payroll will implement the lump sum payments by 26 July 2023 and the rest of the settlement by 6 September 2023, providing the collective agreement is signed by 19 June 2023.

      NZEI TRR agrees that the terms and conditions in the collective agreement will be offered to non-union employees. To recognise the role of the union in reaching the terms and conditions in the collective agreement, and so as not to undermine collective bargaining, the Secretary will not offer the terms and conditions in the collective agreement to non-union members for 6 weeks from 3 July 2023.

      21. Joint settlement communications

      The parties will agree a series of technical changes as listed in the attached Annexe.

       

      Signed in Wellington on ______________2023 by: 

      Joschka Hoffmann, Advocate for NZEI Te Riu Roa

      Isabella Sutherland, Advocate for the Secretary for Education 

      Witnessed: Kate Lethbridge, for NZ School Trustees Association

       


       

      ANNEXE 1: Technical Amendments

      No. Reference/heading Clause number Current reference Updated reference
      1 Parties to the agreement 1.1 and throughout State Services Commissioner Public Service Commissioner
      2 1.1 1.1 and throughout Section 23 of the State Sector Act 1988 Clause 6 of Schedule 3 of the Public Service Act 2020
      3 Parties to the agreement 1.1 Section 74(5) of the State Sector Act 1988 Section 586(5) of the Education and Training Act 2020
      4 Variations 1.5 Section 74 of the State Sector Act Section 586 of the Education and Training Act 2020
      5 Variations 1.5 Section 74(6) of the State Sector Act 1988 Section 586(6) of the Education and Training Act 2022
      6 Throughout the document Throughout the document Board of trustees School board
      7 Definitions 1.6.12 Special school Specialist school
      8 Declaration Pursuant to the State Sector Act 1.7 75 of the State Sector Act s595 of the Education and Training Act 2020
      9 Good Employer/Equal Employment Opportunities 2.1 Part 7A of the State Sector Act s597-607 of the Education and Training Act 2020
      10 Advertising Positions 2.2.1 77HB of the State Sector Act s603 of the Education and Training Act 2020
      11 Appointment Criteria 2.2.1 Section 77G of the State Sector Act 1988  
      12 Personal Files 2.5.2 Privacy Act 1993 Privacy Act 2020
      13 Method of Payment Salaries 3.24.4 However individual employees may on religious or ethical grounds apply in writing to the Secretary to be paid by cheque Removal of the text
      14 Education Act 1989 and 1964 1.3 and throughout document Throughout the document Education and Training Act 2020
      15 Study Leave 4.8.2 S77A of the State Sector Act 1988 Section 597 and 600 of the Education and Training Act 2020
      16 Employment Protection Provisions 9.16 (note) Section77HA Sate Sector Act 1988 Section 605 of the Education and Training Act 2020
      17 Public Holidays  

      List of holidays

      Holidays Act 1981

      Add Matariki

      Holidays Act 2003

      18 Reference to "Ministry of Education" Throughout the document Ministry of Education Ministry of Education | Te Tāhuhu o te Mātauranga
      19 References to "his/hers" "him/her" "he/she" Throughout the document his/hers, he/she Replace with "they" "them" "their" where appropriate