Protesters in Wellington last month on the day teachers’ went on strike over the government’s 1 percent pay offer.
Photo: RNZ / Mark Papalii
Secondary teachers will strike next week after rejecting an improved pay offer.
The Post Primary Teachers’ Association confirmed its members voted overwhelmingly to reject the latest offer from the government and for a partial strike from next Monday to Thursday.
Union members will not teach, instruct or supervise students in certain levels each day with no Years 12 and 13s on Monday, Year 11s on Tuesday, Year 10s on Wednesday and Year 9s on Thursday.
Association president Chris Abercrombie said teachers were sending a clear message to the government that they wanted an offer that met the needs of both teachers and students.
The rejected offer included pay rises of 2-2.5 percent over two years for teachers at the top end of the pay scale.
The previous offer was for three 1 percent pay rises over three years.
Abercrombie said teachers wanted more pastoral care staffing so the increasing numbers of students with additional needs could be given the proper time and attention, and for pay and conditions to be able to attract new staff and keep teachers in the job.
“We are facing once in a generation changes to the secondary school curriculum and qualifications system,” he said.
“Now, more than ever, we need to keep as many as possible of our skilled and experienced teachers in the classroom to help bring in these changes.”
They were at least 800 teachers short because they were either crossing the ditch for better pay in Australia or finding better pay and conditions in other careers at home, he said.
The partial strike was in response to the lack of progress made in negotiations, Abercrombie said.
“Teachers don’t take this action lightly and would much rather be continuing to teach in a settled environment,” Abercrombie said.
“However, our collective agreement negotiations are a crucial way to get pressing teaching and learning issues addressed so we really need the government to acknowledge our concerns and commit to finding effective and meaningful solutions.”
Minister of Education Erica Stanford has been approached for comment.
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