More teachers join October 23 strike
Area school teachers and secondary school teachers have voted to strike on October 23, marking a huge day for public service demonstrations.
The public sector strike on October 23 is growing larger as area school teachers represented by NZEI Te Riu Roa and secondary school teachers represented by the PPTA have voted to join action that day.
Around 1300 area school teachers represented by NZEI and 21,000 secondary school and area teachers represented by PPTA Te Wehengarua will join strike action on October 23. They join the 40,000 members of NZEI who have already declared industrial action on that day including primary teachers, principals, support staff and Ministry of Education specialist staff.
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Last week, teachers with PPTA Te Wehengarua reportedly received a rushed second offer which was “worse than the last”. The offer was presented ten minutes before their meeting, says PPTA President Chris Abercrombie, calling the offer “poorly thought out on the Government’s part”, adding there had been no negotiation since September.
For members of PPTA Te Wehengarua, the rolling strikes will begin on October 14. A full-day national strike will happen on October 23, a ban on extracurricular activities will be on October 29, and a two-hour national strike will happen on November 5.
Members of both unions say they want pay increases to reflect the rising cost of living. PPTA Te Wehengarua members are also pushing for increased staffing, while NZEI members want improved job security, more classroom support for children, and to uphold Te Tiriti.
Related School News story: Ministry of Education specialist staff strike.
Abercrombie said “we need salaries and conditions that will attract people into teaching and keep our skilled and experienced teachers in the profession, particularly as we face once in a generation reforms of our secondary school curriculum and qualifications systems.
“We are currently hundreds of teachers short which means that thousands of students are being taught by teachers who are not specialists in the relevant subject, and we have seen students being sent home this year because there are simply not enough teachers to take classes.”
Raewyn Himona, a deputy principal who is covered by the Area School Teachers’ Collective Agreement, and is represented by NZEI Te Riu Roa, says she is striking to support kaiako Māori.
“We carry te reo me ōna tikanga, care for our tamariki, and lead cultural practices — often without fair pay or support.
“I’m striking for our profession and a better future for our tamariki. He kaupapa mō te tika.”
Of the PPTA industrial actions, some of which begin this week, Hautū of the Education Workforce for the Ministry of Education, Anna Welanyk said 300,000 secondary students would be affected.
“Strike action also impacts parents and caregivers, who may need to change their arrangements to accommodate striking teaching staff,” Welanyk said.
Related School News article: Rolling strikes this week for secondary teachers.
Public Service Commissioner Sir Brian Roche, who is leading negotiations this year, said “we’ve done as much as we can to accommodate them.
“Despite our best efforts, we have been unable to reach a resolution.”
Nurses, midwives and senior doctors will also be striking on October 23.
