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General

It is a Union, structured as an incorporated society established for the purpose of collective bargaining for work undertaken in state and state-integrated schools by principals in: (a) Primary schools (including normal schools, model schools and intermediate schools); (b) Composite schools other than area schools; (c) Special schools.

The PPCB negotiating team will be negotiating on your behalf in the collective bargaining process.

Principals need their own representatives at the bargaining table. In this way, principals are working for principals and so the needs and aspirations of principals are to the fore. You can expect the PPCB bargaining team to work for better terms and conditions in your Collective Agreement.

PPCB and NZEI will both be representing principals in the collective bargaining process. PPCB aims to work constructively with NZEI to present a single strong claim.

Yes, PPCB is a separate entity from NZPF. However, NZPF and PPCB have a close relationship. As PPCB serves principals, the PPCB Constitution requires that members belong to NZPF to join. In addition, 3 of the 5 members of PPCB’s Executive Committee are required to be members of the Executive Committee of NZPF. This enables NZPF to have a voice in the work of PPCB and be closely aligned in working together to join professional advocacy to industrial in the best interests of principals.

PPCB is a separate entity to NZPF. You do not have to belong to any Union but if you choose, you are free to belong to the Union of your choice or both Unions.

Yes, you can belong to PPCB as a member from the date you join. If you are a member of PPCB only or if you are a dual member of NZEI and PPCB and nominate PPCB to be your bargaining agent, you will be represented by PPCB in Collective Bargaining.

The approach taken by PPTA and SPANZ is for a joint claim to be presented after PPTA and SPANZ have negotiated the claim together. That joint claim is then taken into Collective Bargaining with negotiators from PPTA and SPANZ participating.

The Ministry of Education’s approach to the joint bargaining of PPTA and SPANZ is the expectation of a single Collective Agreement outcome.

Ratification between the membership of both Unions occurs through a memorandum of understanding-PPTA and SPANZ agrees to seek ratification of the agreed outcome of bargaining from their respective members. Both Union’s votes are tabulated and counted to establish an outcome across the whole principal community irrespective of which Union they belong to.

PPCB works on behalf of those principals in the Primary Principals’ Collective Agreement to negotiate pay and working conditions. Unfortunately, this does not currently extend to other agreements. It is anticipated that other Collectives will be considered once PPCB is established.

PPCB is wholly funded by membership subscription.

This will be invoiced upon joining up.

PPCB is not funded by the Ministry of Education.

As PPCB is established, its initial operating costs will be underwritten by a loan from NZPF. This is required to be repaid by PPCB within a two-year period.

Yes, PPCB has been modelled on a comprehensive analysis of the SPANZ operating costs. Accurate modelling, planning, and contingency are provided to ensure PPCB is robust.

PPCB’s purpose is Collective Bargaining. Employment relationship problems require specific legal advice. If principals want access to high-level expertise regarding their employment status in the workplace, then belonging to the Principals’ Advice and Support Scheme Limited (PASL) is recommended. The PPCB fee is set at a very low rate to reflect the crisp focus on Collective Bargaining. However, subscribing to both PASL and PPCB gives you strong representation and legal protection.

No, PPCB is focused on Collective Bargaining. PASL provides an excellent hotline service and on-the-ground employment support should it be required. NZSTA offers advice to principals in their role as the employer’s designate.

Membership

We are stronger when we work together – collaboration is the way of the future.
Being represented by a Union focused on principals, you can be sure that principals’ perspectives will be canvassed, shared, and represented at the collective bargaining table.

$9.00 a fortnight or $234 a year (incl GST).

The law requires that a Union fee is paid by the member, not the member’s employer.

A single payment upon invoice is required with 2 months from 1 February to make payment.

Currently, 50% of all principals belong to PASL. Membership in PASL is recommended but not compulsory.

Privacy Policy

PPCB is not party to the current Collective Agreement that expires on 25 August 2022. Joining PPCB means you are supporting PPCB to be working up the claims for the next Collective Agreement and therefore be a party to the next Collective. For you to be covered by the current Collective Agreement you would need to be a member of NZEI or sign an individual employment agreement with your employer tagged to the Collective.

PPCB will be able to advise you about the terms and conditions of your Collective Agreement including obligations to your employer and entitlements.

Yes, PPCB will undertake to survey PPCB members on the terms and conditions of the Collective agreement. This data will be used in negotiating the Collective Agreement.

The bargaining team appointed by PPCB will take any reasonable offer from the Ministry of Education back to the membership for ratification.

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