NZEI strike to be felt today
IT will be difficult to ignore the fact primary and intermediate principals and teachers are striking across Otago and Southland today.
New Zealand Educational Institute union members will be marching, picketing, chanting and rallying in Oamaru, Palmerston, Queenstown, Frankton, Wanaka, Alexandra, Balclutha, Invercargill, Gore and at six sites across Dunedin for most of the day.
The New Zealand Educational Institute (NZEI) Te Riu Roa strike is the first in 24 years, and the ‘‘day of action’’ aims to elicit support from local communities for better pay and better working conditions for teachers.
More than 1200 schools will close today.
The NZEI has asked for a 16% pay rise over two years and better working conditions but negotiations with the Government have stalled.
Minister of Education Chris Hipkins yesterday said they had been advised the majority of schools would close today but said the asking point was just too high.
‘‘Look, there is always room for movement in an offer but the important point here is their starting position is significantly higher than anybody else is getting.
‘‘There is going to have to be significant movement on their side.’’
Otago Primary Principals’ Association (OPPA) chairman and Elm Grove School principal Chris McKinlay said the southern region events were among many being held around the nation, aimed at sending a strong message to the Government that it was time to fix the crisis in teaching.
‘‘There’s going to be different stations throughout the region where teachers will congregate with their signage.
‘‘Our goal is that the majority of the country will see and hear that it is happening.
‘‘We’re hoping it will create more awareness of the concerns teachers have about their conditions and the conditions for children and schools, and the support that we feel needs to be put in place.
‘‘We’re also trying to let the Government know that teachers have been very accommodating for a large number of years, and actually, it’s reaching crisis point and we need some action — we’re actually prepared to give up a day’s pay and
voice that.’’
The union is fighting to give teachers more time to teach, so every child receives the personal attention they need to learn and thrive.
It is also fighting to free principals to focus on leading, and it wants to make sure New Zealand has enough teachers by attracting more people to the profession with appropriate pay.
The majority of primary and intermediate schools across Otago and Southland will be closed today.
Mr McKinlay said individual boards of trustees made decisions about whether to close, and had advised parents accordingly.
‘‘Those that don’t shut will be doing some sort of supervision. I doubt there will be any teaching going on.
‘‘I’ve heard that most parents across the region have managed to sort some care for their children. A lot of parents are taking time off work to care for their children.’’
Mr McKinlay said OPPA would be offering a professional development day for administration and support staff, because they were not on strike and were still entitled to be paid. — Additional reporting NZME