Scoop has an Ethical Paywall
Work smarter with a Pro licence Learn More

Gordon Campbell | Parliament TV | Parliament Today | News Video | Crime | Employers | Housing | Immigration | Legal | Local Govt. | Maori | Welfare | Unions | Youth | Search

 

A Little Of The Windfall Would Mean A Lot

7 May 2002

A Little Of The Government’s Windfall Would Mean A Lot To PPTA Members


A tiny portion of the Government’s $905 million budget surplus would go a long way towards settling the secondary teachers’ dispute, the PPTA said today.

Secondary teachers began their second week of rolling strikes today on the back of news that the Government has a $2.93 billion budget surplus, $905 million more than expected.

“News that the Government has such a high budget surplus but can’t afford to pay secondary teachers more will enrage our members and make them more determined to continue industrial action,” PPTA deputy general secretary Bronwyn Cross warned today.

“This long-running dispute could be easily solved with an extra $75 million – that’s how much extra it would cost the Government to accept our recent counter-claim. Our members have been told for more than a year by Education Minister Trevor Mallard that there is no more money for them, this latest news clearly shows that there is,” Ms Cross said.

“It’s outrageous that secondary teachers have to go on strike for a 10 percent increase in their pay over three years while the government replenishes its coffers with this huge surplus. Our counterclaim comprises a 3.5 percent pay rise and $3500 national qualifications allowance over three years, and would only cost a smidgen of that $905 million windfall. Indeed it would be a very worthwhile investment.”

“A little of that windfall could mean a lot to PPTA members and could see an agreement being reached.”

“Our members are keen to settle this collective agreement. They don’t like taking industrial action. But they feel undervalued and overworked and they believe they have little option. News of this budget windfall will just inflame the situation. The Government has the opportunity now to redeem itself in the eyes of PPTA members. We challenge them to do so.”

Ends

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading

Are you getting our free newsletter?

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.

© Scoop Media

 
 
 
Parliament Headlines | Politics Headlines | Regional Headlines


Gordon Campbell: On The US Opposition To Mortgage Interest Deductibility For Landlords


Should landlords be able to deduct the interest on the loans they take out to bankroll their property speculation? The US Senate Budget Committee and Bloomberg News don't think this is a good idea, for reasons set out below. Regardless, our coalition government has been burning through a ton of political capital by giving landlords a huge $2.9 billion tax break via interest deductibility, while still preaching the need for austerity to the disabled, and to everyone else...
More


 
 

Government: Concerns Conveyed To China Over Cyber Activity
Foreign Minister Winston Peters has confirmed New Zealand’s concerns about cyber activity have been conveyed directly to the Chinese Government. “The Prime Minister and Minister Collins have expressed concerns today about malicious cyber activity... More

ALSO:


Government: GDP Decline Reinforces Government’s Fiscal Plan

Declining GDP for the December quarter reinforces the importance of restoring fiscal discipline to public spending and driving more economic growth, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says... More

ALSO:


Government: Humanitarian Support For Gaza & West Bank

Winston Peters has announced NZ is providing a further $5M to respond to the extreme humanitarian need in Gaza and the West Bank. “The impact of the Israel-Hamas conflict on civilians is absolutely appalling," he said... More


Government: New High Court Judge Appointed

Judith Collins has announced the appointment of Wellington Barrister Jason Scott McHerron as a High Court Judge. Justice McHerron graduated from the University of Otago with a BA in English Literature in 1994 and an LLB in 1996... More

 
 
 
 
 
 

LATEST HEADLINES

  • PARLIAMENT
  • POLITICS
  • REGIONAL
 
 

InfoPages News Channels


 
 
 
 

Join Our Free Newsletter

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.