Polytech strikes disrupt classes

Thousands of students around the North Island faced disruption yesterday when classes were cancelled as staff from six polytechnics took 24-hour strike action.

The polytechnics involved are NorthTec, Bay of Plenty Polytechnic, Waikato Institute of Technology, Western Institute of Technology in Taranaki, Porirua-based Whitireia Polytechnic, and Auckland's Unitec.

The decision to strike followed a proposal from employers to increase teaching days by 10 per cent from 185 to 204 days a year.

The proposal also required all discretionary leave to be at the employers' discretion rather than the employees' as it is at present.

It also included a 1 per cent salary increase with no backdating and a 24-month term from the date of signing (effectively 1 per cent for 2 years).

The outcome of the ballots across the six polytechnics was a 98 per cent vote in support of industrial action.

Tertiary Education Union national industrial officer Irena Brorens said the employers' proposal was unacceptable.

"Enrolments are up and these tutors and lecturers are crucial in the current economic environment, giving job skills to people who need them.

"Instead their employers are telling them they are not working hard enough, and that they should be paid less. It's simply not fair."

A group of about 60 Unitec members picketed outside Unitec on Carrington Rd in Auckland yesterday morning, before moving to the Civic Theatre on Queen St where a graduation ceremony was taking place.

Unitec chief executive Rick Ede said industrial action was not the best solution and he would like to see a resolution soon to avoid more disruption.

He added that Unitec was trying to reduce the impact of strike action on the students, but it was difficult to give them advance warning.

Unitec business student Lisa Gray said she was concerned about the long-term effects of missing her classes.

Her classes were also cancelled last week through illness.

"That means now we have missed out on three lectures for that class, so we are getting a bit behind," Ms Gray said.

- NZPA