PPTA calls off industrial action

Photo / Richard Robinson

The Post Primary Teachers' Association has called off industrial action planned for Thursday and will resume bargaining, following assurances the Ministry of Education has an offer worth teachers' while.

Year 11 students were to be the first of a series of year groups to be "rostered off" - meaning teachers would be unavailable to teach them, however, in a gesture of good faith, that particular action would be held off following assurances from secretary for education Karen Sewell, PPTA president Kate Gainsford said.

She said Ms Sewell had assured her the offer the ministry planned to present would make returning to the bargaining table worthwhile.

Ms Gainsford said the decision by PPTA executive had not been made lightly.

"The secretary emphasised that she understood members' resolve and would not ask PPTA to return to the table unless there was something new to discuss."

The union is seeking a 4 per cent pay increase and went on strike after it was offered 1.5 per cent this year and a further 1 per cent next year.

Further plans to roster home different year levels from next week would still go ahead unless the return to the table was productive, Ms Gainsford said.

This included rostering year 10 home for three days - October 27, November 11 and November 23, and year 9 for four days - October 20, November 2, November 18 and December 1.

Bans on attending meetings and events after 5pm and a refusal to take part in "call back days" in the weekends or outside of school hours also remain in place, Ms Gainsford said.

She was hopeful that this would prove to be a turning point after five long months of protracted bargaining.

- NZ Herald staff