Teachers’ discussions continuing

Threats of strike action are lingering as parents start sending their children back to school from next week.

The New Zealand Educational Institute (NZEI) Te Riu Roa and Post Primary Teachers’ Association (PPTA) signalled the possibility of sector-wide industrial action before the Christmas holiday break but have come into the New Year tightlipped about a Term 1 mega strike.

The secondary teachers’ union re-entered negotiations with the Government last week, which will continue until February 8. The primary teachers’ and principals’ union is in direct ‘‘conversation’’ with Education Minister Chris Hipkins, who said the Government was committed to ‘‘finding a way forward’’ but would not budge on monetary increases.

‘‘I have met with NZEI and I reiterated in our meeting that the $1.2 billion on the table [for primary and secondary sectors], is not going to increase.’’

PPTA president Jack Boyle said yesterday the union would continue to negotiate in ‘‘good faith’’ to prevent industrial action this year, despite overwhelming support for such a move.

Collaboration with the NZEI at the end of last year related to sharing collective concerns over teacher supply and workload. But collective agreement negotiations between the Government and primary school teachers and principals, and secondary teachers would remain separate.

‘‘This has to be the year to get things moving,’’ he said.

NZEI Te Riu Roa president Lynda Stuart said there was ‘‘no firm plan’’ around joint industrial action. ‘‘At this stage, we continue to have a really strong, ongoing relationship with PPTA.’’

Stuart said talks with the Minister questioned how to progress the primary teachers’ and principals’ collective agreement, however no offers or details had been released.