School Support Staff Collective Agreement Negotiation

5 December 2024

The Ministry of Education has been negotiating with NZEI Te Riu Roa in good faith to address pay and conditions for around 37,000 people working as support staff in state and state integrated schools. 

The negotiations cover those working as teacher aides, librarians, science technicians and administration staff and an offer has gone to the members for a vote.

Hautū - Ohumahi Mātauranga | Deputy Secretary - Education Workforce, Anna Welanyk, said the offer put to unions focused on lifting remuneration where it is most needed such as for teacher aides on the lowest pay rate and for those who are not already receiving increases in pay through annual increments.

Our offer is for a 3-year agreement and provides increases to pay as follows: 

• A total increase of 3.3% over 3 years to the starting pay for Grade A teacher aides  
• A total increase of 3.3% over 3 years for teacher aides and other school support staff who are paid at the maximum available step for their role.   

Around 70% of school support staff who are not eligible for these proposed pay increases, are already contractually entitled to receive annual service-based pay increases ranging from between 5.4% and 14.4% over the three-year term of the agreement. 

“We understand the offer has been rejected, however we will continue working with NZEI Te Riu Roa in good faith.”