Support Staff Collective Agreement: Understanding the Basics
As a support staff member in a school setting, you play a crucial role in the education of children. You ensure the smooth functioning of the school, support teachers, and help students achieve their best. However, your job comes with its own set of challenges, which is why it`s important to have a collective agreement in place to protect your interests and ensure fair treatment.
If you`re a member of the New Zealand Educational Institute Te Riu Roa (NZEI), you`ll fall under the support staff collective agreement that outlines your rights and responsibilities as an employee. In this article, we`ll delve deeper into the basics of the support staff collective agreement.
What is a Collective Agreement?
A collective agreement is a legal document that outlines the terms and conditions of employment between an employer and its employees. As a support staff member, your employer is the school board or a similar entity. The NZEI is responsible for negotiating the terms of your collective agreement with the employer on your behalf.
What Does the Support Staff Collective Agreement Cover?
The support staff collective agreement covers a range of topics, including:
– Pay rates and wage progression
– Working hours and breaks
– Leave entitlements such as sick leave, annual leave, and bereavement leave
– Health and safety at work
– Professional development and training
– Performance appraisal and grievance procedures
– Redundancy and severance pay
Pay Rates and Wage Progression
The support staff collective agreement sets out the minimum pay rates for support staff, which the employer must adhere to. The agreement also outlines the wage progression for support staff, which is based on experience and length of service.
Working Hours and Breaks
The collective agreement sets out the working hours and break entitlements for support staff, including meal breaks and rest breaks. It also covers issues like flexible working arrangements, shift work, and overtime payments.
Leave Entitlements
The support staff collective agreement outlines the various leave entitlements, including sick leave, annual leave, and bereavement leave. It also covers parental leave, study leave, and other types of leave.
Professional Development and Training
The agreement ensures that support staff have opportunities for professional development and training to enhance their skills and knowledge. It outlines the funding and arrangements for professional development and training programs.
Performance Appraisal and Grievance Procedures
The agreement sets out the performance appraisal process and grievance procedures for support staff. It ensures that all employees are treated fairly and that their grievances are addressed in a timely and appropriate manner.
Redundancy and Severance Pay
The support staff collective agreement outlines the redundancy process and the severance pay entitlements for support staff who are made redundant.
Conclusion:
In conclusion, the support staff collective agreement is a vital document that protects the rights and interests of support staff in New Zealand. It covers a wide range of topics, including pay rates, working hours and breaks, leave entitlements, professional development, performance appraisal and grievance procedures, and redundancy and severance pay. As a support staff member, it`s important to be familiar with the agreement and to seek assistance from the NZEI if needed. Together, we can ensure that all support staff are treated fairly and with respect.