Secondary Teachers Union Rejects One of Lowest Pay Offers Ever

In a move that has sparked nationwide debate, the Post Primary Teachers Association (PPTA) has rejected a pay offer that many are calling one of the lowest in the history of secondary education in New Zealand. The proposal, which amounts to a 1 percent annual increase over three years, has been met with strong opposition from teachers and union representatives.

The offer, which equates to a 3 percent total increase over three years, falls significantly short of the 14.5 percent rise secured through arbitration in 2023 and the 10 percent average increase accepted by members in 2019. Both previous agreements also included lump sum payments, which the current proposal does not.

Notably, the government's offer also proposed expanding the number of days outside term time that schools can require teachers to work from 10 to 20 days annually. This has been viewed as an additional burden on teachers, who are already grappling with increasing workloads and demands.

The Public Service Commissioner, Sir Brian Roche, who oversaw this year’s negotiations, expressed disappointment over the rejection and urged the PPTA to reconsider the offer. He emphasized that the proposal was carefully crafted to recognize teachers' contributions while remaining financially sustainable in a challenging economic climate.

"The offer on the table represented a 3 percent increase over three years, on top of annual pay progression of between 4.5 percent and 7.5 percent," Sir Brian stated. "For many secondary teachers, this equates to pay increases between $3100 and $8000 a year, with regular annual progression included."

However, PPTA President Chris Abercrombie argued that the current offer fails to reflect the value and demands placed on teachers. "We've got immense change in our sector right now and we need a qualified suitable workforce to implement that change," he said, adding that this is the first time in 30 years that such a situation has occurred.

Education Minister Erica Stanford expressed disappointment that the offer was not put to members, calling it a "reasonable" proposal. She also highlighted the government's ongoing focus on education reform and the importance of having the Public Service Commissioner oversee negotiations to allow the education team to concentrate on broader initiatives.

Despite these efforts, the PPTA remains firm in its stance, signaling a potential escalation in the dispute. As discussions continue, the outcome could have significant implications for the teaching profession and the future of education in New Zealand.

Meanwhile, the Educational Institute Te Riu Roa (NZEI) has begun negotiations for the primary teachers' collective agreement, marking the start of what could be a broader round of discussions across the education sector.