Trevor Mallard

Cabinet Minister Trevor Mallard is calling on National to clarify its position on whether new teachers would face 90-day-trial periods or not after conflicting comments.

The National Party intends to introduce a 90-day probation period for new workers in companies which have 20 employees or fewer.

The party's education spokeswoman Anne Tolley previously said teachers would not be included in the policy.

However at a Council of Trade Unions labour relations election forum in Wellington earlier this month the party's industrial relations spokeswoman Kate Wilkinson said teachers were included.

NZPA was at the forum and recorded Ms Wilkinson's comments.

"So you are saying it would apply to teachers?" a questioner asked.

"It applies to any workplace that employs less than 20 people, yes," she replied.

Ms Wilkinson doubted it would be an issue. She said teachers were in demand and they could make it a condition of accepting any job that there be no trial period.

"I'd have to say the 90-day trial period is probably not that applicable to teachers because they're not going to leave their job and go on trial... it's by agreement. It's up to the individual to actually agree to have a trial period."

Asked about Ms Tolley's comments, Ms Wilkinson said:

"I don't know what Mrs Tolley said, I am saying what our policy is and our policy says that in workplaces that employ less than 20 people we are wanting to implement a trial period with the safety mechanisms which I've already mentioned so it's seen as fair and balanced to both the employer and the employee."

Asked about the practicalities, Ms Wilkinson said she knew of a school where the teachers incorporated as a society to register as a union "just so they can enter into a collective agreement".

Mr Mallard told the forum that would require bulk funding.

"The fact when the (Education) Ministry's going to pay the bill having other people do the negotiating for it is something which is absolutely stupid. It just doesn't work. The only way that policy could work would be through a system of bulk funding."

He said that would undermine education services and national standards and hurt local relationships.

"Imagine being in a small school in a rural area where they're going to drive the teachers' wages down in order to get something else."

Mr Mallard issued a statement today drawing attention to the issue which he said showed National MPs said different things depending on who the audience was.