Teacher unions could join forces

WELLINGTON: Primary and secondary education unions will join forces in their campaign for better pay and conditions for teachers if their wishes are not met.

The primary teachers’ union, the New Zealand Educational Institute, and the secondary union, the Post Primary Teachers’ Association, announced the move yesterday.

‘‘We know that this Government has inherited a teacher shortage and a desperate situation for children with additional learning needs because of the failure to plan and fund education properly; and we acknowledge that they are working to try and fix it,’’ PPTA and NZEI national presidents Jack Boyle and Lynda Stuart, respectively, said in a joint statement.

‘‘However, what we see now is an unprecedented crisis and it

affects your tamariki, mokopuna, nieces and nephews.

‘‘It’s the future of our children we are talking about.’’

Up to 30,000 teachers with NZEI affiliation took part in strikes throughout New Zealand this week.

They are now in the process of

considering the Government’s latest offer, the outcome of which will not be known for a number of weeks.

But both executives, who represent up to 48,000 principals and teachers from around the country, said that should the offer be rejected, the unions would unite.

‘‘Both unions would campaign together to win public and Government support for more investment in teaching and learning in 2019,’’ the statement said.

Ms Stuart said she was supporting colleagues who were ‘‘desperate’’ for help.

Many of the principals she associated with could not find teachers to adequately staff their school or cover sickness.

The workload was also a big issue for teachers, who also pointed out that involved finding support for children with special needs.

Ms Stuart acknowledged recent research that showed more school leaders and principals were dealing with high levels of stress.

‘‘We want teaching to be the creative, rewarding career that it used to be – with teachers having time to teach, students having the support and individualised learning that they need and principals having the time to read.’’

Teachers at a march and rally in downtown Wellington told RNZ they were unlikely to accept the Government’s latest offer, which increased the top rates of pay available for many teachers as well as providing three consecutive 3% pay rises.

Secretary for education Iona Holsted indicated teachers were jumping the gun by talking already about further industrial action.

‘‘It is hard to understand why the teaching unions are threatening further campaigns before the NZEI members get the opportunity to vote on the settlement offer, and while the PPTA is still in active bargaining with the ministry,’’ she said.

Ms Holsted said the offer to primary teachers would increase most teachers’ pay by $10,000 over 24 months. — NZME/RNZ