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School Caretakers’, Cleaners’ and Canteen Staff Collective Agreement 2025-2027

School Caretakers’, Cleaners’ and Canteen Staff Collective Agreement 2025-2027

The 2025-2027 School Caretakers’, Cleaners’ and Canteen Staff Collective Agreementopen_in_new (SCCCSCA) was ratified in 2025 for a term of 20 months from 10 July 2025 to 9 March 2027.

The agreement included pay increases ranging from an average of 2.5% to 6.2% over its term and changes to several terms and conditions.

What changes should you be aware of?

The new SCCCSCA includes these key changes:

  • A new variation of hours clause (like that found in the Support Staff in Schools’ Collective Agreement) that specifies the process for any reduction in hours and limits those reductions in hours, without invoking the redundancy provisions, to 20% (see clause 6.3). The clause also clarifies that this process cannot be invoked if the employee’s hours of work have not been fixed for at least 12 months.

  • An update to the callback provisions to compensate caretakers when they are called by phone after completing work for a work-related matter that does not require them to attend the school site. They can now be provided with equivalent time off in lieu, at a minimum of 30 minutes per incident (see clause 2.2.7.3).

  • Groundstaff, Grounds Labourer, Assistant Groundskeeper and Senior Groundskeeper role definitions have been merged into the definitions for caretakers, discounting the use of these designations (see Appendix D). This is a technical change and does not require a change in any employee’s duties.

  • Coverage has been clarified to make clear that Ka Ora, Ka Ako school lunch programme employees are covered by the SCCCSCA (see clause 1.6.4)

  • Increased notice period for employees covered by the SCCCSCA to one month (from two weeks).

  • Introduced performance management provisions (clause 7.3) reiterate the expectation that the employer will regularly engage employees, set clear expectations and provide regular guidance and assessment. It also clarifies the process to be undertaken if performance concerns exist.

  • Made the designated first aider allowance available to all employees under the SCCCSCA and provides for contributions towards the cost of a designated first aider obtaining or renewing their first aid certificate (see clause 3.2.3).

  • Introduced provisions (clause 3.2.12) to clarify remuneration for employees who work on school camps and trips, like that found in the Support Staff in Schools’ Collective Agreement.

  • Increased overtime rate for cleaners and canteen staff to time and a half and increased the mileage rate to $0.83 a kilometre.

The changes are detailed in this Ministry of Education circular hereopen_in_new.

What actions are required of you?

Be aware of the changes and ensure impacted procedures and practices are updated – Review existing procedures and processes to ensure they reflect the updated terms and conditions of the SCCCSCA.

Existing employees on IEAs – All employees on Individual Employment Agreements (IEAs) need to sign the new IEA promulgated 2 September 2025open_in_new to receive the new pay rates and enhanced conditions.

The new rates and conditions will apply from the date the IEA is signed.

Update Groundstaff job descriptions and employment documentation – Identify how groundstaff employees will translate to the caretaker definitions using Appendix D and then advise impacted employees of these changes to their role definitions. This letteropen_in_new can be used to do so.

Also, update job descriptions to ensure they reflect the updated definitions in the SCCCSCA, are up-to-date, and set clear expectations.

Advise Healthy Lunch Programme employees of the extension of coverage – All the IEAs being used by your (Ka Ora, Ka Ako) Healthy Lunch Programme employees are out of date.

You will need to advise your employee they need to take one of two actions:

This letteropen_in_new can be provided to employees to advise them of the required action. It is important to follow up after this letter is sent.

The coverage change does not affect these employees’ pay rates. They will remain at the living wage rate (or higher) they currently have.

Ensure Part 5 is complied with – Schools must ensure they are meeting the requirements for health, safety and equipment set out in Part 5 of the SCCCSCA. This includes providing employees with the required training, safety devices and PPE and having equipment checked in a timely manner. Note that all caretakers are to be provided with steel toe capped safety boots.

New appointments – All new staff covered by the SCCCSCA will need to be offered a SCCCSCA specific letter of offer for employment. These can be accessed hereopen_in_new.

If they are not a member of E tū, and do not choose to join the union, they will need to sign the promulgated IEA for Caretakers’, Cleaners' and Canteen Staffopen_in_new.

Caretakers and alarm callouts – If you have not already, read the article Special Topic: Caretakers and after-hours alarm callouts which clarifies that caretakers are not required to be available 24/7 to attend to alarm activations.

Templates, resources, and references

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