Hon Bill English
National Education Spokesman

31 August 2004

Non-union teachers may have to pay PPTA fees

Teachers who miss out on a $500 payment to union members only could be forced to pay $500 in union fees anyway, says National's Education spokesman, Bill English.

The Government has revealed that it is planning to change employment law so that unions can levy all employees, even if they are not members.

"This will add insult to injury for non-union teachers," says Mr English.

The Government's pay offer to teachers includes a $500 payment to members of the PPTA.

Trevor Mallard is likely to proceed with this payment despite the growing frustrations of teachers who will miss out and of school boards who will have to come up with the money to make up the difference.

"Non-union teachers have not been told that they will be subject to payment of union fees anyway.

"The Government justifies the non-consensual payment by saying that non-union members also benefit from the negotiation of collective contracts.

"This is one of the largest and most significant industrial agreements this year and the Government should lay all its cards on the table so teachers know what they are signing up to," says Mr English.

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