Kindy teachers to vote on strike action

Kindergarten teachers may strike over what they say is the Education Ministry's refusal to give solid guarantees on working conditions in the move to full-time hours.

The NZEI has been in discussion with the ministry over Government plans to extend the traditional sessional model to a full-time operation.

At meetings held around the country last month, 99 per cent of members voted to reject the ministry's position.

A further day of negotiations on November 10 failed to bring the parties any closer to agreement.

In an open letter to members, co-advocates Peter Monteith and Karen Skett said stop work meetings would be held in the week beginning November 28 to discuss the possibility of taking strike action early in December.

While the union supports diversification "in principle", they are demanding guarantees on hours of work.

"Teachers are not in a safe position to be involved in diversification until there are fair and explicit parameters and guidelines in place," they wrote.

The union also wants pay relativity for head teachers and senior teachers restored.

The national executive will also ask members to vote on a recommendation on any further discussions about diversification until the matter is resolved.

The ministry has suggested the two parties enter mediation.

- NZPA