8. Hon CHRIS CARTER (Labour—Te Atatū) Link to this
to the Minister of Education
Is she committed to pay parity in the education sector?
Hon ANNE TOLLEY (Minister of Education) Link to this
The Ministry of Education is about to begin negotiations for collective agreements, where this matter will be considered along with other employment conditions. Given that these negotiations are due to start soon, and that the parameters are still being considered, it would be improper for me to comment on employment issues of this nature.
Is the Minister intending to review pay parity in the education sector; if so, has she received or requested any advice on the matter?
I have received advice on a number of issues. But that member, who used to be the Minister of Education—and I know that it was a long time ago and that every day seems like a year—should know that it is improper to discuss these types of employment matters through this forum, and that they are better discussed around the bargaining table between the Ministry of Education and the bargaining agents.
Can the Minister tell the House when her Government will begin negotiations with the New Zealand Educational Institute on the kindergarten teachers’ collective agreement, as the current agreement expired a week ago?
If the Minister is not committed to pay parity, could she tell the House why she thinks a secondary teacher does a better job than a primary teacher?
That member may think it is a good idea to discuss these complex issues in question time, but I want the Ministry of Education to discuss them in good faith around a negotiating table.
I raise a point of order, Mr Speaker. I made it quite clear in my question that it was not about whether a current negotiation is taking place. I clearly asked the Minister whether she believes in pay parity; she still has not given an answer to that. I also asked her whether she agrees that primary teachers do as good a job as secondary teachers—or kindergarten teachers, for that matter.
Mr SPEAKERThe member has just pointed out that he asked several things in his supplementary question. The Minister has made it clear that, prior to a negotiation round, she considers it not in the public interest to be specific about such issues as pay parity, which clearly are issues that will be handled in a payment negotiation.
Rahui KateneWhat action will the Minister take to raise the pay rates for low-paid school staff, including teacher-aides, librarians, school managers, information and communications technology specialists, therapists, kaiārahi reo, cleaners, and school caretakers? Those staff often provide the glue to keep a school together.