Angry teachers plan eight more strikes

Photo / Janna Dixon

Post Primary Teachers Association president Kate Gainsford has accused the Government of not viewing education as a priority after details of new secondary teacher strikes emerged.

"It's very obvious that education ... is not the priority that business is for this Government," she said.

"There's a lot of rhetoric but when it comes to action and real commitments they're pretty thin on the ground.

She said teachers were angry with the Government, and an unprecedented 95 per cent of members had voted to take industrial action after talks with the Ministry of Education broke down.

Eight separate strikes affecting year 9, 10 and 11 pupils were planned to start on October 14, a PPTA document sent to teachers showed.

From next term teachers would make themselves unavailable for meetings, including parent interviews, before 8.30am and after 5pm.

Teachers would also refuse to work on weekends and during the holidays after term four ended.

Education Minister Anne Tolley said the action would only "create uncertainty and confusion for students and parents" and urged teachers to resume negotiations.

"This will cause distress for students and parents, who are being used by the union to make a political point," she said.

"The PPTA has been very quick to walk away from bargaining, with only 13 days of negotiation so far."

Teachers needed to recognise the whole country is working in difficult economic circumstances, she said.

The latest round of strikes follow a one-day nationwide strike last week after pay talks between the PPTA and the ministry failed.

Teachers are seeking a 4 per cent pay rise, rejecting the ministry's offer of a 1.5 per cent pay rise and a further 1 per cent next year.

Ms Gainsford said the ministry was also yet to remove from the table "claw backs" - including removal of limits on class sizes - to teacher conditions.

"We are happy to continue bargaining ... but that is dependent on the Government coming to the table with a different type of approach," she said.

"What's being presented again and again are arguments that I think show a lack of real understanding of the sector."

Teachers were aware economic conditions were tough but improvements were needed or the gap between New Zealand's education sector and overseas counterparts would widen.

TEACHER STRIKES

No teaching on these days:

*Year 9: October 20, November 2, November 18 and December 2.

*Year 10: October 27, November 11 and November 23.

*Year 11: October 14.

- NZPA