1 March, 2013

School staff tell MPs: No more Novopain

School staff and supporters will be calling on Government MPs to show more commitment to helping schools caught up in the Novopay debacle.

NZEI National Secretary Paul Goulter says it’s now been exactly six months since Novopay was introduced and there’s been no relief in the problems and stress that it’s been causing schools.

“We’ve had six months of over-pay, under-pay and no-pay and the Government has not shown enough urgency in dealing with the situation. It needs to do much better.

School staff and supporters will picket outside Government MP offices and other public spaces around the country to deliver signed letters addressed to Novopay Minister Stephen Joyce asking for more action and more respect.

“School administration staff should not be put under the intolerable stress and teachers should be getting paid properly. While no one is saying that Novopay is an easy fix, the Government needs to show proper commitment to easing some of the stress that schools are facing.

NZEI is calling on the Government to agree to a reasonable, low-cost package of support measures for schools, and to ensure adequate staffing and service levels at Novopay and the Ministry of Education.

“We would also like to begin discussions on financial support for schools,” Mr Goulter says.

While NZEI is continuing to look at legal options and engage with Novopay Minister Stephen Joyce’s sector reference group, it’s clear we need a package of interim relief measures.

“We’re starting to see communities take their own unprecedented action to support teachers and administration staff. For instance, parents in Motueka have organized a pupils’ strike day in protest at the Government’s inaction over Novopay.”

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