Primary Principals Union Secures Pay Rise Through Negotiation

The Primary Principals Collective Bargaining Union has successfully negotiated a pay increase for its members without resorting to industrial action. After four months of discussions with the Ministry of Education, the union has accepted a 2.5 percent pay rise for this year, followed by an additional 2.1 percent increase next year. This agreement, announced last week by Public Service Commissioner Sir Brian Roche, will remain in effect for a period of 26 months.

Participation in the voting process was significant, with 85 percent of the union’s 515 members casting their votes. An overwhelming 95 percent expressed support for the new agreement. Union president Mark Ellis attributed the successful outcome to constructive communication and a strong commitment to good-faith negotiations.

Ellis stated, “Our membership has gone and accepted it as a good offer. We can appreciate that we’re in a crisis for living costs and living wages. Our principals want to do their jobs, be in front of kids, and support teachers. The good-faith negotiations continued because we had not threatened strike action.”

Another key aspect of the agreement is the commitment to explore tenure-based pay options. This would allow principals to receive compensation based on their experience rather than solely on the size of their schools. Ellis emphasized the potential for ongoing discussions with the ministry regarding remuneration that acknowledges experience: “There’s an opportunity to continue dialogue with the ministry around remuneration for principals under areas of experience, not just the size of the school.”

While this agreement marks a positive development for primary principals in New Zealand, it does not encompass all educators. Members of the New Zealand Educational Institute (NZEI Te Riu Roa), representing over 40,000 education workers, including teachers and principals, are still expected to participate in a nationwide strike on October 23, 2023.

The contrast between the outcomes for the two unions highlights ongoing tensions in New Zealand’s education sector as various groups advocate for better working conditions and pay in response to rising living costs. The successful negotiation by the Primary Principals Collective Bargaining Union demonstrates that dialogue can yield results, even as other groups pursue more confrontational strategies.