CTU draws battle lines, backs teachers

Helen Kelly. Photo / Mark Mitchell

A union storm appears set to descend on the Government, with the Council of Trade Unions (CTU) yesterday predicting a country-wide fight for better conditions for workers.

Speaking at the Post Primary Teachers' Association conference in Wellington, CTU president Helen Kelly said plans to restrict union access to workplaces was a "direct attack on the democratic rights of workers", and that unions would not stand for the attacks on workers' rights.

Ms Kelly also drew attention to the 90-day dismissal law, the dismantling of the pay and employment equity unit, the removal of provisions for meal breaks and changes to the Employment Relations Act in terms of strikes and holidays.

She said a national day of action was planned for October 20 to signal that the union movement was prepared to fight back.

In response to the current teachers' employment dispute, Ms Kelly said the CTU was behind the PPTA's fight for a fair settlement.

"My view is that this Government simply does not value teachers and - if that is not scary enough - you could go as far as to say that it does not value education," she said.

"In this Government's eyes, teachers don't need to be trained and should be perfectly happy with their pay packets regardless of rising costs of living. It is important that the Government understands that teachers will fight to protect teaching conditions and aren't prepared to sit by and let them slip."

- NZPA