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Teachers set to vote on strike action
Teachers set to vote on strike action (includes potential strike dates)
15 October 2018
Primary teachers and principals are set to begin voting tomorrow on whether to undertake a week of strike action in November.
The ballot follows the rejection of the Ministry of Education’s latest offers to teachers and principals in September, which NZEI Te Riu Roa members said failed to adequately address the crisis in education.
NZEI Te Riu Roa President Lynda Stuart said the Government still has the ability to avert potential strike action if it comes back with an improved offer.
“Strike action is always a last resort. If the Government comes back with an improved offer that our members feel genuinely addresses the education crisis, the disruption of a strike could be avoided,” Ms Stuart said. “However, if teachers are forced to take strike action, it is clear that they continue to have the public’s strong support. Parents understand that ultimately this is all about the future of their children’s education.”
The secret online ballot will run from Tuesday 16 October until Thursday 25 October. Members will be voting on whether to undertake a week of rolling one-day strikes from Monday 12 November to Friday 16 November, with strikes falling on different days throughout the country.
Ms Stuart welcomed the Government’s move to alleviate the teacher shortage with overseas recruitment, but said the only way to fix the problem long-term was to make teaching an attractive and sustainable career choice.
“We’re glad the Education Minister has admitted there is a crisis in education – but it’s only his Government that has the power to fix it,” said Ms Stuart. “Recruiting from overseas to fill the immediate shortfall will help, but it is a band-aid solution. The Ministry’s own research shows only 16% of youth in New Zealand think teaching is an appealing profession. It’s clear that the only way to solve the shortage long-term will be to turn that around.”
If members vote to approve strike action, the following days have been set:
ENDS
Potential strike
dates
• Auckland Region -
Monday 12 November
• North Island (except Auckland and
Wellington) - Tuesday 13 November
• Wider Christchurch
area (including Ellesmere, Ashley, Mid-Canterbury, Malvern,
Hurunui) - Wednesday 14 November
• South Island (except
Christchurch) - Thursday 15 November
• Wellington
Region - Friday 16
November
NZEI Te Riu Roa
New Zealand Educational Institute
NZEI Te Riu Roa members work in every community in New Zealand, leading and advocating for quality public education.
We are the 50,000 principals, teachers and support staff who work in primary, area and secondary schools as well as early childhood centres, special education and school advisory services. We come together as NZEI Te Riu Roa - New Zealand's largest education union, a Treaty based organisation and a powerful advocate for quality public education.
We have the most important job in New Zealand - educating for the future.
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