STRIKE ACTION
Happy teachers, happy kids, says dad
For the second time in three months primary teachers and principals in Hawke’s Bay have walked off the job as part of a nationwide rolling strike. The industrial action, which began in Auckland yesterday, comes after failed negotiations between the Ministry of Education and teacher’s union NZEI Te Riu Roa.
Last Thursday, the Ministry made a new offer to teachers, but did not move on its earlier offer to raise pay scales by 3 per cent a year for three years. Its latest offer included a new top step and the partial removal of a cap on qualifications for some teachers from 2020, as well as a oneoff gross payment of $500 for all NZEI members.
The offer means most teachers would get a pay rise of between $9500 and $11,000 within 24 months.
Bledisloe School principal Carol Bevis had hoped mediation would work.
“I would hope that personally, and I can only speak personally, that this would be the last time we would need to strike.”
She said it had been “challenging” to find relievers and a lot of staff were “feeling the pressures of the job”.
Hastings father Santhosh Thomas said in light of recent industrial action by nurses and workers in other sectors, it was important teachers got what they deserve.
“Teachers are doing a great job for our children. If they are happy and have a positive attitude, it passes down to our kids.”
Education Minister Chris Hipkins said NZEI “let their members down by not allowing them to consider the new offer before going on strike”.
“It is disappointing that NZEI has decided to go ahead with strike action before asking its members to consider the strong new offer made this week during facilitation,” he said.
He said their new offer is worth $698 million, an increase of $129 million from the previous offer.