Teachers’ strike plans detailed as ballot opens

Primary teachers have released details of their proposed regional strikes in November as a nine-day strike ballot begins today.

NZ Educational Institute (NZEI) said an “overwhelming” majority of members voted last month to reject the Ministry of Education’s offer of a 9.3 per cent pay rise over three years.

Teachers at rallies on their last strike on August 15 voted by voices to support a two-day national strike as their next step, but the union’s annual conference decided on October 1 to scale this back to oneday regional stoppages to minimise financial costs both to teachers and parents who would have to take days off work to care for children.

Teachers will vote on the proposed strikes in an online ballot that will open today and close on October 25.

NZEI president Lynda Stuart said the Government could avert the next strikes if it made an improved offer.

“Strike action is always a last resort,” she said. “However, if teachers are forced to take strike action, it is clear that they continue to have the public’s strong support.”

Pay rises of 9.3 per cent over three years appear to have become fixed as the going rate in the public service.

In August nurses accepted a 9.3 per cent increase over two years, but with

no increase in the third year. However they also won two extra steps at the top of their pay scale, giving experienced nurses an effective 15.9 per cent pay rise over three years.

Police Association president Chris Cahill has recommended police accept 9.3 per cent over three years.

But teachers feel they can get more because of a staff shortage which led to a Government package yesterday including a target of recruiting 900 teachers from overseas to fill a likely shortfall of 850 next year.

Last week Stuart pointed to a $5.5 billion government surplus in the year to June.

“The $5.5b surplus compares to an estimated $921 million total annual cost of primary teachers’ and principals’ claims, including smaller class sizes, more support staff and a 16 per cent pay increase.”