KEY POINTS:
A teachers' union is moving to try to exempt kindergarten teachers from the Government's controversial new 90-day probation bill.
The legislation, passed under urgency late last year, gives businesses with fewer than 20 workers the right to sack a new employee during the probation period without risking a personal grievance case.
But the New Zealand Educational Institute (NZEI) yesterday lodged a claim seeking the agreement of the Education Ministry and kindergarten associations that the legislation won't be contained in kindergarten teachers' contract agreements.
NZEI national secretary Paul Goulter said the union believed the legislation was unfair and unjust to workers and had serious implications for the education sector, where recruitment was already difficult.
Tauranga kindergarten teacher and NZEI member Marion Dekker said many teachers moved to gain promotion and develop their career.
"They'll be reluctant to go to a new job if there is no certainty of employment," she said.
"Small kindergarten associations in rural areas which already find it hard to attract and retain staff will find it even more difficult.
"This legislation is counterproductive for good employment and ultimately, for children's learning, if it exacerbates the teacher shortage."
The claim will be the first employment claim to respond to the legislation, which was fiercely attacked by the Labour Party and Greens.
Bargaining of the kindergarten claim is due to begin early next month.
- NZPA
