Media Release February 10th, 2009
From NZEI Te Riu Roa
For immediate use

Minimum Wage Rise Won’t Touch The Sides

The education sector union NZEI Te Riu Roa is backing calls for a more meaningful increase to the minimum wage, saying a 50 cent increase won’t even touch the sides for low paid workers in the face of rising living costs.

The government has announced that the minimum wage will rise from $12 an hour to $12.50 from April – the smallest annual increase since 2005. NZEI says it will have little impact for workers who are struggling to make a living.

NZEI represents 13,000 school support staff who represent one of the lowest paid workforces in the country. They have been waiting for more than six years for a significant pay rise. They are frontline workers who work with children as teacher aides, or provide essential administration and resourcing to keep schools running.

NZEI President Frances Nelson says to attract support staff into schools and retain them, there needs to be a meaningful increase in their starting rate - which is only a few cents above the new minimum wage - and a pay scale which recognises their skills as they develop.

NZEI has lodged a fresh pay claim for support staff which includes a pay jolt promised by the previous government which would help lift their wages out of the low paid bracket.

“We are calling on the new government to show real commitment to low paid workers and honour the pay jolt to deliver a just and fair pay deal. Support staff pay rates do not recognise the skills and value they bring to schools and communities and that needs to be addressed in the upcoming bargaining round,” says Ms Nelson.

“If the government wants 21st century schools, it needs to provide 21st century pay rates for support staff working in them.”

ENDS

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