Secondary teachers set to strike on 12 September

Media Release

Wednesday 29 August 2007

Secondary teachers set to strike on 12 September

Secondary teachers have today given notice* to the State Services Commissioner of their intention hold a one-day national strike on Wednesday 12 September should there be no substantially improved offer from the Ministry of Education to their pay claim lodged last Tuesday.

Secondary teachers have called for smaller class sizes, improved pay for teachers with additional responsibilities, equitable non-teaching time for part-timers and a 7.5% pay adjustment to keep pace with other workers.

In earlier paid union meetings 99% voted to reject the government’s offer and an overwhelming majority also voted in favour of taking the one-day national strike action this term.

PPTA president Robin Duff said the Association remained hopeful that there would be a substantially improved response from the Ministry of Education.

However, he said in the absence of that secondary teachers would use the strike day to challenge the government to honour its commitment to secondary education, to retain skilled and qualified teachers, attract the best graduates and ensure that students are not left to struggle in over-large classes.

He said that on the strike day they would also vote on proposals for further actions in term 3 and 4 this year and for further action proposals for term 1 next year to be presented during term 4 should their agreement remain unsettled.

Mr Duff said teachers were taking the action as a stand in defence of the quality of secondary education.

“We believe that the quality of secondary education depends on the quality of the teachers in every school.

“It is important that qualified professionals are available to cover all areas of the curriculum. Students should be taught in small class sizes to ensure they can be treated as individuals and have access to the greatest level of support for their learning. And we should encourage our best graduates to enter the profession and not burden them with student debt for doing so.

“We need to make secondary teaching a job that people want to do. Highly qualified and effective teachers with time to bring out each student’s potential are essential to ensure that our children can participate in a brighter future.”

ENDS

*Strike notice is given under section 74ac of the State Services Amendment Act.

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