Teacher contract talks need to resume, say principals

Hawke's Bay Secondary Schools Principals Association president Neal Swindells has called for employment contract negotiations between teachers and the Ministry of Education to resume.
"Things like this never get resolved if people are not talking to each other," he said.
"Any form of industrial action is frustrating for principals and parents, we have little input but have to live with the consequences."
The latest round of strikes follow a one-day nationwide strike last week after pay talks between the PPTA and the ministry failed. Teachers are seeking a 4 per cent pay rise, rejecting the ministry's offer of a 1.5 per cent pay rise and another 1 per cent next year.
High school teachers plan eight days of strikes, and may refuse to work after 5pm.
The strikes are due to begin on October 14, with Year 9, 10 and 11 pupils missing school during eight separate strikes with a possible ban on after-school tutoring and meetings with parents. Teachers may also refuse to go to work on weekends and during the holidays after term four ends.
Hawke's Bay PPTA chairwoman Jan Torrey wished to be clear about the extent of the industrial action.
"These are not strike days. Each week only one year level will be rostered home for just one day.
"Because we do not wish to interfere with senior student learning and exam preparation the action does not include Years 12 and 13 and includes Year 11 only once."
Fiona McTavish, group manager of Education Workforce, said that among its package of 46 claims, the PPTA was claiming for increases to both base salary and allowances.
PPTA president Kate Gainsford said industrial action was not something members took lightly, but that they felt it was the only option when faced with the Government's refusal to address teachers' concerns.
"Issues such as class size, duty on and off school grounds and health and safety are being ignored, despite the fact that many of the claims surrounding these issues are low or no cost."
Ms Gainsford said the ministry was yet to remove "clawbacks" to teacher conditions from the negotiating table. These included the removal of all limits on class sizes, she said.
"What's being presented again and again are arguments that I think show a lack of real understanding of the sector."
An ongoing dispute exists over just what the interpretation of the average teacher's pay is.
Ms Gainsford felt Education Minister Anne Tolley's use of statistics was misleading and mischievous.