Circular 2008/15: Caretakers and Cleaners and Groundstaff Collective Agreements

Date: 10 November 2008
To end date: 2009
Circular Number: 2008/15
Category: Industrial Relations

New Collective Agreements: School Caretakers and Cleaners (including Canteen Workers); and Secondary and Area School Groundstaff

This circular is about: Details from the ratified School Caretakers' and Cleaners' (including Canteen Workers') Collective Agreement; and the Secondary and Area School Groundstaff Collective Agreement.

This circular replaces: This circular replaces 2007/5.

The action required is: Note information and various actions required.

It is intended for: Chairpersons of Boards of Trustees and principals of all state and state integrated schools.

For further information: Contact the Industrial Relations Unit by email: industrial.relations@minedu.govt.nz.  All agreements will be available on the Minsitry's website:  www.minedu.govt.nz/goto/employmentagreements

Introduction

This circular provides advice on changes arising from recent settlements and ratifications of the School Caretakers’ and Cleaners’ (including Canteen Workers’) Collective Agreement (SCCCA) and the Secondary and Area School Groundstaff Collective Agreement (SAGCA).

back to top

Details of Settlement

The key elements of both settlements are:

• 4 percent increase on printed wage and salary rates effective from 2 January 2008;
• A further 3.1 percent increase on the printed rate from 14 January 2009;
• A further variable increase from 1 July 2009 designed to provide a total increase over the term of the document of $2.62 per hour or $104.80 per week;
• A two year term as follows:

-    1 October 2007 to 30 September 2009 for the SCCCA; and
-    1 November 2007 to 31 October 2009 for the SAGCA.

The new terms and conditions apply automatically to Service and Food Workers’ Union (SCCCA) and the Amalgamated Workers’ Union (SAGCA) members whose work is covered by the applicable collective agreement. The implementation of the new rates of pay for these staff is expected to occur on 19 November 2008 for caretakers, cleaners, canteen workers and groundstaff. Copies of the new collective agreements are on the Ministry website. The pay scales for both collective agreements are attached as an appendix to this circular.

back to top

Joint Working Party

As part of the settlement it is proposed that a joint working party, involving the Ministry of Education, SFWU and NZSTA representation, be established to examine and report to Government on the following issues/processes:

• Those associated with school contractor’s pay rates including the viability of, and any implementation issues associated with, the establishment of common wage rates from 1 July 2009 applying to both school board and school contractor cleaning, caretaking and canteen employees;
• The calculation of the additional costs of, and examination of a funding mechanism for the July 2009 increases;
• Ensuring the July 2009 wage increases are not lost through reduced hours of work;
• The applicability of the “Principles for a Sustainable Property Services Industry” to contracting out of work in this sector and mechanisms for implementation. 
  

back to top

Individual Employment Agreements

A new individual employment agreement for school groundstaff not bound by the collective agreement is available on the Ministry’s website.

Partly in recognition of the ongoing commitment to the working party it was agreed that the promulgation of an individual employment agreement for existing school caretakers, cleaners and canteen workers would take effect no earlier than 14 January 2009. It will be available on the Ministry’s website from that date.

The Employment Relations Act 2000 states that new employees are entitled to be employed on an individual employment agreement based upon the applicable collective agreement for the first 30 days of employment.

A template letter of appointment for new employees can be downloaded from the NZ School Trustees Association website  http://www.nzsta.org.nz.  Further information can be sought from regional NZ School Trustees Association advisers.

back to top

Appendix - New Pay Rates for Caretakers, Cleaners and Groundstaff 

back to top

Issued by

Sarah Borrell
Acting Senior Manager Industrial Relations
Ministry of Education
National Office
45-47 Pipitea Street, Thorndon
P O Box 1666, Wellington, New Zealand
Phone: 0-4-463 8000
Fax: 0-4-463 8001