ASTE Claims Unreasonable

28 April 2005

ASTE Claims Unreasonable – D&A Pays Top Market Rate For Staff

Members of the ASTE (Association of Staff in Tertiary Education) in Christchurch announced today that they intend to take strike action because of a breakdown in negotiations with management.

The Principal of the Design and Arts College (D&A), Michael Hadley said that the interests of the students are the top priority. It is expected that they will not be affected by the strike because only 17 out of 95 staff in the organisation will be taking part in the industrial action.

‘There will be limited disruption to the students and teaching because only 18% of our workers are protesting. Staff not participating in the strike will endeavour to cover the workload required.’

Within the PTE sector D&A pays at the top quartile of the salary scale for teaching certificate and diploma programmes. This rate is between 30 – 40% above the market rate for the sector.

All employees play a vital role in the organisation and are paid a similar rate reflecting their value to D&A ensuring that wage/salary equity is maintained. Michael Hadley comments that:

‘All employees at D&A are treated fairly across the board in the organisation. We cannot expect to give a small percentage of staff an increase and not reward others; we provide a fair and equitable environment for all employees.’

ENDS

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