KEY POINTS:
Secondary teachers say they will strike next month if the Education Ministry does not react to their latest pay claim with a substantially improved offer.
The teachers have been battling for improved wages and conditions and lodged their latest pay claim last week after rejecting a second government offer.
They are set to strike for a day on September 12.
The union rejected the latest wage offer of 10.25 per cent over three years and instead wants a one-year term of 7.5 per cent.
Post Primary Teachers Association (PPTA) president Robin Duff said the strike notice was lodged today with the State Services Commission, but he hoped for a good response from the Education Ministry.
Failing that, teachers would use the strike day to "challenge the government to honour its commitment to secondary education, to retain skilled and qualified teachers, attract the best graduates and ensure that students are not left to struggle in over-large classes".
Secondary teachers have also called for improved pay for teachers with additional responsibilities and equitable non-teaching time for part-timers.
Teachers would also vote on proposals for further action in terms three and four this year and for further action proposals for term one next year to be presented during term four should their agreement remain unsettled.
Mr Duff said the government needed to ensure quality teachers were retained and were able to work with small classes.
"And we should encourage our best graduates to enter the profession and not burden them with student debt for doing so," he said.
The Ministry of Education has not yet given its reaction.
- NZPA
