Parklands pupils go on strike over Novopay

March 2nd, 2013
[by David Armstrong]

Parents and children of Parklands School went on strike yesterday morning to protest about the way the failing Novopay payroll system has affected the teachers at the school.

Most of the pupils, with their parents consent and/or support, stayed out of their classrooms and were supervised by parents in a range of outdoor activities in the playgrounds (photo, right). Those who wanted to continue in classrooms were looked after by teachers.

The strike action was covered by many New Zealand media, and in particular showed on a segment of the Campbell Live show on TV3 last night. This follows a petition introduced to parliament this week by local MP Damien O'Connor on behalf of pupils (see photo below).

Marion Edwin, chairperson of the school's Board of Trustees, said in a press release that said that since Novopay went live, "close to 80% of our staff that have experienced disadvantage at some point".

Marion emphasised that the strike action was a parent initiative, not a board or staff initiative, but "we are very appreciative of the support shown to us by our parents".

"The ongoing and mounting difficulties with the Novopay system are taking their toll on our admin and staff groups, and as Board we wish to see these matters resolved urgently."

Parklands Board of Trustees wrote to the Ministry of Education on 6 November expressing frustration and serious concern with the Novopay system, Marion said.

"We reported on its fatally flawed functionality, giving examples including the system's inadequate transaction reporting capability, inability for payroll administrators to alter work hours and pay rates of staff members, and unwieldy methods of seeking resolution to errors - via the use of forms that result in a cascade of email messages and developing a very cumbersome paper trail necessary to reconcile the change requests with outcomes.

"At this time, it was our recommendation to replace the clearly inadequate Novopay payroll system with the entirely acceptable iPay Data system that was previously in use, and which we experienced as both efficient and effective.

"Nothing changed. We did not receive feedback from our letter. But we did receive a 'chin up' and 'bear with it' notice from the Ministry.

"Still nothing changed. Whilst the Ministry reports that only 2.2% of staff in the schools sector is being paid incorrectly, as of February 25th, 57% of our staff were suffering disadvantage because of being paid incorrectly. This includes not just the most recent pay cycle errors, but the accumulation of errors since Novopay's inception.

"Since its inception it is closer to 80% of our staff that have experienced disadvantage at some point. To date we have almost $11,000 owing to our staff, with more to come.

"We are also out of pocket by $5,000 with various overpayments and even 'phantom employees' paid. We can't afford this, it comes from our operational budget, and we need the funds back in our coffers. And it wasn't us that created the problem.

"Our records also show that 69% of the instructions issued to Novopay are executed incorrectly. So it is bad - and it keeps getting worse. It is like the earthquakes - each pay run is another aftershock that makes even more Novopay cracks evident. We think it is time to 'Red Zone' Novopay.

"Our administrator usually spent 1.5 hours per week dealing with payroll issues - this has increased tenfold - he is now spending around 15 hours a week on these activities.

"This is a huge strain, and takes away from the other financial and administrative matters that also demand attention so that we can get on with the real business of schools - educating our children.

"And, awkwardly, dedicated staff members have been embarrassed by needing to arrive, cap in hand, at the office, distraught that pay hasn't gone through as it should have, and has left them in very awkward situations with mortgages and other commitments.

"This source of worry and embarrassment is avoidable. Our staff are at the end of their tether - family lives and other commitments are being negatively impacted. As a Board we have concerns for the ongoing health and wellbeing of our employees as a direct result of 'Novogate'.

"It is just not on that staff who should be taking a sick day, struggle in to work as they are too frightened to do anything that will result in a payroll alteration.

"Novopay is broken. If you had bought it from the shop you would have returned it by now and got your money back."

Comment by Liz Mahoney:
[Posted 4 March 2013]

What a great effort by Parklands School pupils and parents in support of their teachers' pay being mucked up by Novapay. I hear the children's strike (see TV3 coverage) has produced some positive results.

>> , to be added to the page. [If this link doesn't work, use this form instead]

[ Return ]
[ Other news articles ]

We wish to thank these local community-minded businesses who generously sponsor our site. They recognise the value of supporting this community asset, and in return Motueka Online is pleased to use and recommend their services whenever appropriate.

Ray White Motueka, Motueka Floral Studio, Nelson Building Society, House of Travel,
Greenwood Active Health, Great Shape Today, T.O.A.D Hall, , Satellite Networks