A union says the Public Service Minister's making overblown claims about teacher salaries

The Government's entered collective bargaining with the New Zealand Educational Institute.

Its pay equity claim was extinguished under rushed-through money-saving law changes.

Judith Collins says primary teachers with eight years experience are eligible to 115-thousand dollars a year, including allowances.

But negotiator Liam Rutherford says allowances reserved for specific roles.

The current agreement shows the highest possible base salary for those teachers is 103-thousand dollars.