September 19th, 2024
A Fair Pay Agreement (FPA) process for the early childhood sector has been launched after receiving support from over 5,000 workers. The agreement aims to establish consistent pay and working conditions for more than 30,000 early childhood kaiako and kaimahi across the sector, according to a media release by NZEI Te Riu Roa.
NZEI Te Riu Roa, representing kaiako and kaimahi in the early childhood sector, submitted the initiation application to the Ministry for Business, Innovation and Employment on 1 May, marking the first step towards bargaining an FPA.
Margaret Barclay, an early childhood teacher with nearly 50 years of experience, expressed excitement about the announcement, highlighting the diverse and fragmented nature of the sector.
"Now this is our opportunity to bargain which will help achieve quality early childhood education across the motu for every child out there," Barclay said.
Sandie Burn, an early childhood representative for NZEI Te Riu Roa and a kindergarten teacher, described it as a significant moment for the sector, as it unites all ECE kaiako and kaimahi. Burn said that while the specifics of the agreement will be guided by the sector, pay parity, non-contact time, teacher-to-child ratios, recognition of the special skills and contributions of te reo Māori teachers, and health and safety are important issues.
Violet Wilson-Baird, a parent of young children, emphasised that all early childhood kaiako and kaimahi deserve decent pay and working conditions. She expressed hope that the FPA process will bring positive change to the sector and improve working conditions, benefiting both teachers and the communities they serve.