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Monique Ford / Stuff
New Zealand Directors Federation President Perry Rush announced that the federation would work to establish its own union.
The executive of the Federation of Directors of New Zealand has announced that it will establish its own union.
Although it will have to be ratified by members, President Perry Rush said there have been discussions for many years about establishing a custom elementary school principals union.
Dissatisfaction with their collective bargaining agreement, and what some principals saw as a lack of communication about the agreement from the teacher assistants, pushed the talks forward, he said.
In October, a survey of 1,000 principals found that 91 percent wanted to leave NZEI Te Riu Roa, which represents a wide range of early childhood and primary education educators, and establish their own “industry branch”.
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It was challenging to be part of a union that also represented groups managed by directors, Rush said. A new union would allow primary school principals to have their own voice at the table.
Rush said the federation will continue to work closely with NZEI Te Riu Roa, and he respected the work the union did. .
The decision is expected to reach the federation members for a vote in early 2021.
Not everyone was satisfied with the decision.
NZEI Te Riu Roa Chairman of the Board of Directors, Stephanie Madden, said she was disappointed with the move.
“Solving the major workload and resource problems facing schools and their principals requires the strength and power of a united sector,” he said.
“We are disappointed in the NZPF’s moves to establish an ‘industrial arm’ following our attempts to constructively engage with them and address the issues they raised.”
The issues directors faced required large-scale professional and industrial support and NZEI Te Riu Roa had the size and strength to deliver this. It hoped to retain some of its main members.
“We have been very open to comments from directors on how we can improve.
“We will reconnect with principals in the new year as we intensify our campaign to secure the right resources to meet the needs of our schools and the children they teach.”
