School Caretakers, Cleaners, Canteen and Groundstaff Collective Agreement

4 February

The Ministry of Education has been negotiating with E tū to renew the School Caretakers, Cleaners, Canteen and Groundstaff Collective Agreement. 

Hautū - Ohumahi Mātauranga | Deputy Secretary - Education Workforce, Anna Welanyk,  acknowledged the work this group of workers does to make our schools safe and enjoyable learning environments where tamariki are supported to thrive.

On 14 January, the Ministry presented an offer to settle the agreement. 

The key elements of the offer include:

• No change to printed remuneration for those who have access to annual incremental progression (i.e. supervisor caretakers employed on steps 1 and 2), as they will receive their annual service-based progression which is above projected inflation. This amount varies between 6.3% and 9.5% depending on step. 
• Increases to printed rates of 1.25% + 1% + 1% each year, over a three-year term, to those who will not receive annual service increases (i.e. all other employees covered by the agreement). This offer provides increases of 3.3% to these employees over three years.

Other elements of the offer can be found in the attached Terms of Settlement. 

This offer was rejected by the Union.

Further negotiations are scheduled for 13 and 14 February 2025.