PPTA dispute continues as primary teachers settle
The PPTA says it will fight on in its contract dispute despite primary school teachers and principals reaching a proposed settlement in their collective agreement negotiations.
The PPTA says it will fight on in its contract dispute despite primary school teachers and principals reaching a proposed settlement in their collective agreement negotiations. Under the settlement, primary teachers will receive a 2.75 per cent pay rise from December 1, along with a $300 lump sum. As well, they will automatically get any further rise that secondary teachers manage to obtain. Frances Nelson, president of NZEI Te Riu Roa, that represents the primary school teachers and principals, said the contract negotiations were difficult and there had been several significant sticking points. Teachers and principals will vote on whether to accept the settlement over the next few weeks. The move came as a surprise to the Post Primary Teachers Association, whose talks with the Education Ministry have reached an impasse. "They will of course settle for what they think is the right thing for their members," president Kate Gainsford said. "There is a clause in their agreement that says it doesn't matter what they get – if we get something better they will get it automatically ... this is what we face when we negotiate." Thousands of year nine students had another day off yesterday as secondary teachers continued planned strike action, and the PPTA issued a list of industrial actions it will consider taking early next year.
This includes pupils being rostered home for two days a week for five weeks, teachers refusing to submit NCEA results and refusing to set and mark homework. "It does indicate very much an escalation from the moderate levels [of action] of this term," Ms Gainsford said. Members will vote on what action they will take in February. However, Education Minister Anne Tolley urged the PPTA to reconsider its position and return to the bargaining table.
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