14th MARCH 2001

TEACHERS HELD OVER A BARREL BY MINISTER

“The Minister of Education, Trevor Mallard, is holding teachers over a barrel by having a single bag of money to fund both salary claims and staffing increases,” said New Zealand First Education Spokesperson, Hon Brian Donnelly MP.

“The Minister has made it quite clear. The more gained by teachers in salary claims, the less there will be available for staffing improvements. Teachers are effectively being asked to fund Government policy. It is not fair.

This makes a mockery of good faith bargaining,” said Mr Donnelly “and sets a very dangerous precedent for other state sector salary negotiations.”

ENDS

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