Wins for TEU members at Otago and Victoria.

Hau Taki Haere | Tertiary Update Vol 28, No 21

Te Hautū Kahurangi | Tertiary Education Union has successfully concluded collective agreement negotiations at Ōtākou Whakaihu Waka | The University of Otago and Te Herenga Waka | Victoria University.

The new deals include significant steps forward, particularly for lower-paid union members.

At the University of Otago, a 3.5% pay increase this year, and another next year have been secured along with an additional 10 days’ sick leave available to primary carers as defined by the university’s Parental Leave Policy. The deal also extends collective agreement coverage to Tutor Demonstrators – a win that benefits some of the most vulnerable and precarious members of the tertiary education workforce.

The settlement at Victoria University is a gamechanger for the university’s tutors, whose minimum hourly pay rate will jump from $23.30 to $27.90 – a 20% increase – and approximately 500 tutors earning below $27.90 per hour will see an average increase of 10%. There will also be an average 3.94% increase for Research Assistants and a 6.4% increase for general staff on the lowest pay bands.

Hannah Jenkin, TEU Branch President at Victoria University, says “Our members at VUW sent a clear message to university leadership that the mana of our staff must be uplifted by achieving a living wage. I am so proud of the kotahitanga and manaakitanga shown by members, many of whom have seen a loss of wages in real terms over the last few years. Their commitment to a fairer workplace has led to a historic settlement for our lowest-paid staff.”

Te Pou Ahurei Takirua – Ahumahi | Assistant National Secretary – Industrial, Daniel Benson-Guiu says “These wins reflect the power of members standing together and acting collectively. These pay increases are more than numbers on a page, they’re about valuing people, respecting their contributions, and creating a fairer workplace. Together, our members are building a stronger, fairer tertiary education sector.”

Also in this update:

• Save NorthTec
• Academic freedom – learn about it, and act on it
• Network general meetings
• A ‘Ruthless’ Critique Of AI
• Tower Insurance – New member benefit for TEU members

Other stories

Toi Ohomai cuts threaten one-of-a-kind campus – TEU

Fears Northland’s NorthTec will become a ‘shell’ of former self under new model – NZ Herald

Toi Ohomai proposes to end timber machining apprenticeship in Rotorua – NZ Herald

Wintec cuts planned – Waikato Business News