Secondary School Teachers in New Zealand to Strike Over Pay Offer

Secondary school teachers in New Zealand are set to take industrial action next Wednesday, following what they describe as an unsatisfactory pay offer from the government. The government has proposed a 1% pay increase as part of collective agreement negotiations, a move that the Post Primary Teachers’ Association (PPTA) has strongly criticized as the lowest increase in a generation.

According to PPTA President Chris Abercrombie, the decision to strike was not made lightly. However, it was overwhelmingly supported by members in a recent ballot. 'We would much prefer to have received a satisfactory offer from the Government which addressed the significant challenges we are facing,' Abercrombie said.

The PPTA has raised concerns that the current offer fails to address the growing demands on teachers, particularly as the education system undergoes significant reforms, such as changes to the National Certificate of Educational Achievement (NCEA). Abercrombie emphasized that higher salaries are essential to attract and retain teachers, especially in light of these reforms.

The union also highlighted the increasing number of students with complex needs, including mental health and emotional issues, which require more pastoral care and resources. 'Our claim for more pastoral care time and funding was completely ignored in the Government’s offer,' Abercrombie stated.

Further, the PPTA pointed out that the government’s proposal did not address other key concerns, such as the recognition of curriculum leaders, the need for more subject specialist advisers, and teacher-led professional development funding. 'All of these are imperative for the success of the changes the Government wants to make to secondary education,' Abercrombie added.

The union acknowledged that the industrial action would be disruptive for parents and caregivers but urged them to support the teachers as they seek a better deal. 'We are asking for understanding as we work towards a fairer agreement,' Abercrombie said.

The primary teachers’ union, NZEI, had already rejected the government’s 1% pay offer last week. From next week, they will hold mass paid union meetings with other education groups, including principals, support staff, and the Ministry of Education’s learning support team, to determine the next steps in negotiations.

With the education sector at a crossroads, the coming weeks are expected to be tense as teachers and unions push for reforms and fair compensation, while the government seeks to balance fiscal responsibilities with the needs of the education system.