Teachers gain more job security

The primary schoolteachers' union has negotiated greater job security and improved surplus staffing provisions for teachers involved in what it calls the stress and upheaval of school reviews and reorganisation.

Educational Institute national president Colin Tarr said the new provisions covered 35,000 members of the union who worked as teachers, principals and support staff in primary schools.

"The provisions were agreed after three days of talks between the union and the Education Ministry.

"Despite the February 23 announcement of a five-year moratorium on school reviews there are 168 schools undergoing review that were begun last year," Mr Tarr said.

"There are more than 3000 NZEI members working in the 168 schools currently under review ... "

The union and the ministry had agreed on variations to the collective agreements covering principals, teachers and support staff that would minimise job loss during school reorganisations.

"These variations will also ensure that when a staff member does lose their job because of a school closure they will receive fair compensation," Mr Tarr said.

- NZPA