Mallard’s Dumping On Boards Rejected

Mallard’s Dumping On Boards Rejected

“Trevor Mallard has told a number of technology teachers they should approach their Boards to get a top up to what their degreed colleagues get,” Maggie Lovekin, spokesperson for the Pay Disparity group said today. She was commenting on statements by the Minister of Education that Technology teachers should approach their Principals to get a top up from their Board of Trustees. Mr Mallard has denied saying this.

“Mr Mallard is now saying he merely stated that schools get extra money from the Ministry of Education to pay extra to teachers in positions of responsibility, or to pay extra to teachers where there is an issue of recruitment or retention and that it has always been up to schools to decide which teachers should be eligible for that extra resourcing.”

“But Mr Mallard has straight out told some teachers that degree equivalent teachers should apply for top ups from their Boards – though he now denies this,” said Maggie Lovekin. “Either way Labour is merely trying to pass the buck for Labour’s broken promise on pay parity to local Boards of Trustees,” said Maggie Lovekin.

“Nevertheless, our group is again seeking legal advice on the issue. Last year, the School Trustees Association (STA) said teachers would need to leave their union and be placed on individual agreements with their Board to get a topup. As well STA stated that Boards would require permission from the Education Ministry to pay more than the actual rate in the STCA and STA believed this is unlikely to occur,” said Maggie Lovekin.

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