Primary teachers to strike

AUCKLAND: Primary school principals and teachers have voted to walk off the job in a series of rollings strikes.

The industrial action is set to be held in the week starting November 12, affecting thousands of families around the country. Teachers in South Island provinces will take action on the Thursday of that week, culminating in a march on Parliament during a strike in Wellington on the Friday.

It follows a national strike on August 15 and NZEI members’ rejection of a second offer by the ministry in late September.

NZEI Principals’ lead negotiator Louise Green said the unprecedented level of industrial action by primary teachers and principals showed the severity of the crisis in the country’s schools.

Last night’s decision follows a 10day electronic ballot.

The Ministry of Education said following the results of the ballot, the ministry and union would urgently seek facilitated bargaining under the Employment Relations Act.

‘‘This process will facilitate reaching settlements for primary principals and primary teachers.’’

In a statement, Education Minister Chris Hipkins said there was still a lot of water to go under the bridge before the proposed industrial action.

‘‘The Government is pleased the Ministry of Education and the NZEI are urgently seeking facilitation under the Employment Relations Act. This will advance the process to help reach settlements with primary principals and teachers.’’

Mr Hipkins told secondary teachers this month that their claim of an immediate 15% pay rise was ‘‘out of the ballpark’’.

But the Government is believed to be keen to avoid further strikes after primary and intermediate schools were closed by a oneday strike on August 15.