Guidance about union membership for primary principals

Following recent settlement of the renewed Primary Principals (NZEI) Collective Agreement 2023-2025, primary principals are now in the unique situation where they can be represented by two unions – NZEI Te Riu Roa (NZEI) and the Primary Principals’ Collective Bargaining Union (PPCBU).

The following situations explain what employment agreement a primary principal may be employed under:

Member of PPCBU only, or member of both PPCBU and NZEI: Bound by the Primary Principals’ (PPCBU) Collective Agreement.  
Was a member of the PPCBU, but has left after the PPCA-PPCBU agreement ratified and either joined NZEI or is not a member of any union: If a PPCBU member resigns their union membership, they will be on an IEA that mirrors the PPCBU collective agreement. They can join NZEI, but won’t be covered by the PPCA-NZEI until the next negotiation (technically 60 days before the PPCBU collective expires) – see section 58 of the Employment Relations Act 2000.   
Member of NZEI only: Bound by the renewed Primary Principals’ (NZEI) Collective Agreement. 
Was a member of NZEI, but left after PPCA-NZEI agreement ratified and either joined PPCBU or is not a member of any union: If an NZEI member resigns their union membership, they will be on an IEA that mirrors the renewed NZEI collective agreement. They can join PPCBU, but won’t be covered by the PPCA-PPCBU until the next negotiation (technically 60 days before the NZEI collective agreement expires) – see section 58 of the Employment Relations Act 2000.   
Existing principal who is not a member of either union: Employed on an IEA based on the renewed PPCA-NZEI, unless they join one of the unions (in which case see above).
New principal who is not a member of either union: Employed on the terms and conditions in the new NZEI collective agreement for their first 30 days, as that is the collective that binds the greatest number of primary principals (see section 62(4) of the Employment Relations Act 2000).

Scenario

Member of PPCBU only, or member of both PPCBU and NZEI, bound by the PPCA-PPCBU.

Primary Principals' (PPCBU) Collective Agreement(external link)

Member of NZEI only, bound by the PPCA-NZEI.

Primary Principals' (NZEI) Collective Agreement(external link)

Was a member of the PPCBU, but has left after the PPCA-PPCBU agreement ratified and either joined NZEI or is not a member of any union. Employed on an IEA that mirrors PPCBU-PPCA. Can join NZEI but won’t be covered by PPCA-NZEI until 60 days before PPCBU-PPCA expires.

Individual Employment Agreement (Primary School Principal – PPCBU)(external link)

Was a member of NZEI, but has left after the PPCA-NZEI agreement ratified and either joined PPCBU or is not a member of any union. Employed on an IEA based on the renewed PPCA-NZEI. Can join PPCBU but not covered until 60 days before PPCA-NZEI expiry.

Individual Employment Agreement (Primary School Principal – NZEI)(external link)

Existing principal who is not a member of either union. Employed on an IEA based on the renewed PPCA-NZEI.

Individual Employment Agreement (Primary School Principal – NZEI)(external link)

New principal who is not a member of either union. Employed on an IEA based on the renewed PPCA-NZEI.

Individual Employment Agreement (Primary School Principal – NZEI)(external link)

Frequently asked questions

Can I be a member of both NZEI and PPCBU simultaneously?

Yes, you can be a member of both NZEI and PPCBU simultaneously. If you are a member of both unions, your employment terms will be covered by the Primary Principals’ (PPCBU) Collective Agreement.

If I am a member of NZEI only, what employment agreement will I be covered by?

If you are a member of NZEI only, you will be bound by the renewed Primary Principals’ (NZEI) Collective Agreement.

If I resign my union membership, how does that affect my employment agreement?

If you resign your union membership, you will be on an IEA that mirrors the collective agreement of the union you were a member of. For instance, if you were a PPCBU member and resigned, you would be on an IEA based on the PPCA-PPCBU.

I am a PPCBU member. Can I leave now and join NZEI to be covered by the terms and conditions of the renewed PPCA-NZEI settlement?

No. If you were a member of PPCBU but left after the PPCA-PPCBU agreement was ratified and either joined NZEI or are not a member of any union, you will be on an IEA that mirrors the PPCBU collective agreement.

You can join NZEI, but you won't be covered by the PPCA-NZEI until the next negotiation, as per section 58 of the Employment Relations Act 2000.

I am an NZEI member. If I leave now and join PPCBU, what employment agreement will I be covered by?

If you were a member of NZEI but left after the PPCA-NZEI agreement was ratified and either joined PPCBU or are not a member of any union, you will be on an IEA that mirrors the renewed NZEI collective agreement.

You can join PPCBU, but you won't be covered by the PPCA-PPCBU until the next negotiation, as per section 58 of the Employment Relations Act 2000.

I have been a principal for 20 years and am not a member of either union - what employment agreement am I covered by?

An existing principal who is not a member of either union will be offered an IEA based on the renewed PPCA-NZEI, unless they join one of the unions.

What employment agreement will a new principal who is not a member of either union be covered by?

A new principal who is not a member of either union will be employed on the terms and conditions in the renewed Primary Principals’ (NZEl) Collective Agreement for their first 30 days, as that is the collective agreement that binds the greatest number of primary principals, as per section 62(4) of the Employment Relations Act 2000.

Last reviewed: 19 March 2024 Has this been useful? Give us your feedback