Teachers may unite for strikes
Union bosses will meet this week with the prospect of historic joint primary and secondary school strikes on the cards.
Primary school teachers and principals from much of the North Island downed tools yesterday as part of rolling strike action by New Zealand Educational Institute (NZEI) members.
But the prospect of the Postprimary Teachers’ Association (PPTA) joining industrial action in a mega strike that would see both secondary and primary school students off school, would up the ante in the teachers’ pay row with the Government.
NZEI president Lynda Stuart, speaking at Hamilton’s Te Rapa Racecourse, said members had to decide whether to accept or reject the Education Ministry’s latest offer – valued at almost $700 million.
The latest offer includes a new top pay bracket and the partial removal of a cap on qualifications for some teachers from 2020.
The public reaction to yesterday’s roadside rallies around Hamilton showed teachers continued to enjoy widespread support among the community, Stuart said.
If NZEI members vote to reject the Government’s pay offer, they will have the support of the Postprimary Teachers’ Association (PPTA), she said.
Union leaders will meet on Friday to discuss each group’s respective pay talks.
‘‘If we decide to show the Ministry their tactic of dragging it out won’t work, we’ll have more strength coming,’’ Stuart said.
‘‘Our PPTA colleagues will possibly be joining us in term one next year in this fight. They’ve got our backs and we have got theirs. So for the first time ever in this country we will see professional unity with primary and secondary united and mobilised.’’
NZEI members will vote in a secret ballot in the next few weeks whether to accept the Government’s offer.