OPSA and OUSA Support Teachers

COMBINED OUSA and OPSA MEDIA RELEASE
For Immediate Release

The PPTA has organized meetings for this week where members would vote on action for next term if there is no progress with talks. The Otago Polytech Students' Association (OPSA) and Otago University Students' Association (OUSA) announced renewed support of the secondary school teachers demands.

"This issue must be settled." said Michelle Watt, Vice President of OPSA.

"The government have indicated that they may consider rolling the teachers contracts but while this looks good on the surface it will not solve the dire problems of low real wages and working conditions" said Ms. Watt.

Rolling over of current agreements will also mean that PPTA members will be unable to take industrial action for forty days.

"The problems for teachers need to be sorted out now" said Katie Grace, Education and Welfare Vice-President of OUSA, "It is not just about the money, teachers are over-worked and under-valued".

"The best thing for teachers and students is to resolve this issue, the government has a responsibility to voters to sort this out before parliament dissolves" concluded Ms. Grace.

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