The Tertiary Education Union (TEU) has joined criticism of the Government for making Individual Employment Agreements offers to non-union primary teachers.
The union’s comments come after the Government made the offer, which was similar to that rejected by NZEI Te Riu Roa at mediation.
Last week, NZEI Te Riu Roa, which is the largest union representing primary, secondary and ECE teachers and principals, called the decision to make the offer to non-members “an attack on the strong collective decision by the majority of teachers”.
Related School News article: Union calls employment agreement offer for non-members an “attack”
In a recent media release, the TEU said that the “attack on [the] primary teachers’ union is an attack on all unions”.
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“On Wednesday last week the Public Service Commissioner, Brian Roche, sent an Individual Employment Agreement (IEA) offer, to non-unionised primary teachers. This offer was based on an offer already rejected by NZEI Te Riu Roa members, while collective negotiations are still taking place.”
“The offer was then promoted in a high-profile way on public facing websites and media.”
“This is an alarming action, which does not follow good faith practices in bargaining and is particularly concerning when coming directly from the Public Service Commissioner.”
“If successful, this direct attack on teachers and their ability to collectively organise and improve their working conditions will influence employers across Aotearoa – thereby legitimatising a tactic designed to undermine union power.
“We should all be paying attention to this behaviour. We’ve seen attacks on the rights of working people through the gutting of pay equity, changes to the Employment Relations Act, and the proposed changes to the Health and Safety at Work Act. This government does not support working New Zealanders.
“We know the way that we improve our working conditions is through using our collective bargaining power and sticking together. We must use our strength in union to push back against any moves to reduce our collective power.”
NZEI Te Riu Roa said it would file urgent legal action and ask the Public Service Commission to meet and discuss its proposal with the union.
