Kindy teachers keep pay parity

Kindergarten teachers have maintained pay parity with primary teachers in their latest collective employment agreement.

The proposed settlement of the Kindergarten teachers, Head teachers and Senior teachers collective agreement follows five days of negotiations between the education sector union, New Zealand Educational Institute (NZEI), and the Ministry of Education.

NZEI negotiating team leader Marion Dekker said the settlement maintained a unified pay scale and pay parity with primary teachers for a further two years.

"Kindergarten teachers fought long and hard for pay parity in 2002 and we are pleased by the ongoing commitment to it. It was the number one issue for us going into these negotiations," Ms Dekker said.

The settlement was subject to ratification and would go to union members as soon as possible, she said.

- NZPA