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CPIT committed to modernising TEU collective agreement

Published: Thu 1 Sep 2011 04:17 PM
1/9/11
CPIT committed to modernising TEU collective agreement
CPIT has been in negotiations with the Tertiary Education Union (TEU). TEU is one of five unions representing CPIT staff and they currently have about 200 members.
There have been no significant changes to the collective agreement with TEU since 1993, but the education environment has changed significantly since then. CPIT needs the flexibility to deliver outstanding learning programmes as the opportunities and needs arise, particularly in the current environment in Christchurch.
“I believe the offer on the table is fair,” CPIT Chief Executive Kay Giles said. “It ensures a minimum of six weeks leave, with three weeks for professional development to ensure skills are as up to date as possible and a 6% pay rise over two years (this in addition to compensation for discretionary leave bought back, if necessary).
CPIT is committed to having a highly skilled, well-remunerated workforce with good conditions.
The current offer to TEU members is a 4% pay rise backdated to 1 April 2011 and a 2% pay rise from 1 April 2012.
Both TEU and CPIT have made compromises as negotiations have progressed, however there are two issues that are still being negotiated.
The first is staff leave.
Staff leave for TEU-affiliated staff is currently at nine weeks per year – five weeks annual leave and four weeks discretionary leave – plus 10 days of professional development (PD). The TEU collective therefore restricts the institute to the equivalent of a 39-week work year, which is out of step with industry, student expectations, other collective agreements and the working conditions of most New Zealanders.
CPIT is proposing buying back up to two weeks of discretionary leave, when necessary on an individual basis, for additional work, with compensation of an increase of 2% to their annual salary for each week bought back (this means a potential 4% salary increase on top of the 6% pay rise). In addition one week of discretionary leave could be allocated to institute-directed professional development.
The second issue is staff hours.
The TEU Collective Employment Agreement (CEA) defines duty hours (34 – 36 hours per week), but does not define active work hours. CPIT is proposing that the duty hours remain the same but there is a new clause defining standard work hours as 40 hours per week.
“Whilst the disruption caused by recent industrial action is regrettable, I believe it is important that we address the issues of the CEA so we can ensure the sustainability of CPIT,” Ms Giles said. “All polytechnics in New Zealand are currently facing the same issues and I believe that CPIT’s offer is more than fair. I value our staff enormously, but I also take seriously my responsibility to ensure that CPIT delivers the best possible outcomes for our students and our community.”
ENDS

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