The New Zealand School Trustees Association is delighted that an agreement has been reached to settle the secondary
teachers’ collective agreement.
President Chris France says the announcement of the settlement is the best Christmas wish that NZSTA could have hoped
for.
Chris France says while NZSTA regrets the disruption leading up to the settlement, boards will now be pleased that an
agreement has finally been reached, meaning the school year is ending on a positive note.
“I am aware that all of the parties, including the NZSTA representative in negotiations, have worked very hard over the
past 10 days or so to find a way through that all parties could live with. The fact that an agreement has been reached
prior to the end of the school year is brilliant.”
Chris France says NZSTA believes the settlement reflects a reasonable balance between pay and the need to address
workload issues.
“Undoubtedly it will be a relief for all concerned, and particularly our secondary schools, to be able to go into 2002
with minds focused on making sure our students are receiving the best education possible. NZSTA congratulates both the
Government and the PPTA for their commitment to find a way through what was rapidly looking like an impasse.”
NZSTA is pleased that the settlement preserves the flexibility for boards of trustees and secondary principals to
establish policies for the provision of non contact time for secondary teachers, he says. This means schools can reflect
any particular circumstances that may be relevant to them.
The package for settlement is subject to ratification by PPTA members.
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