Government will stand by arbitration decision, says Mallard

12.30pm

The Government would accept the outcome of independent arbitration being proposed to end the long-running teachers' pay dispute, Education Minister Trevor Mallard said today.

The Post Primary Teachers Association (PPTA) has criticised Mr Mallard for saying on Friday the dispute had reached an impasse and that both parties had agreed to call in arbitrators.

Mr Mallard said today that after PPTA members had rejected two offers accepted by their executive "it is clear there is an impasse" in the pay negotiations.

"Our intention is therefore to accept the outcomes recommended by an independent panel.

"It would be over to the PPTA to decide whether they would also accept it."

The process would be non-binding on the PPTA, he said.

The panel will include Bruce Murray, recently retired Tawa College principal and former PPTA chairman, and Dame Margaret Bazley, former chief executive of the Ministry of Social Development.

"We are finalising the availability of a third member who was proposed by the PPTA negotiators and is acceptable to the Government," Mr Mallard said.

The executive had delayed discussing the arbitration for several days last week because of the school holidays, he said.

He said he was disappointed the PPTA was not prepared to try to get an answer from its members "as soon as possible".

However, he had been assured by the PPTA chief negotiator information would be sent to its members in time to get a response by tomorrow afternoon.

"I think we're in a position where we must have good faith bargaining," Mr Mallard said.

"It would be a real sign of good faith on the part of the PPTA to lift their (industrial) action now while their members decide whether they support their executive."

There was no reason arbitration hearings could not start this week, he said.

"It's a question of whether the PPTA wants it to go ahead or not."

Meanwhile, secondary students returned to school today for the start of the second half the academic year.

It was hoped that arbitration would see the PPTA call off "rostering home" industrial action planned for this week.

Under the PPTA's action year 13 students can expect to be sent home on Wednesday, year 12 student on Thursday, and year 11 students on Friday.

The PPTA executive would put the arbitration proposal to its members by Wednesday, its president Jen McCutcheon told NZPA today.

The executive hoped to hear back from members by the following Wednesday.

"I know that we're being prodded the Ministry and the School Trustees Association to do something different but it's simply not possible. We've got over 14,000 members in 350 different branches.

"They don't want to be pushed and why should they be pushed?" she said.

"Under the law, the members have to ratify (the proposal)."

The process would not happen "overnight, in spite of Mr Mallard's desire that that should be the case".

There were details about the alternative resolution proposal still to be agreed.

Those included the make-up of the panel, the timescale for a resolution, and terms of reference.

She said she welcomed by Mr Mallard's announcement the Government would accept the outcome of arbitration, but also surprised by it.

"I'm amazed that they're saying it."

She rejected Mr Mallard's suggestion the union call off industrial action this week while members considered the proposal.

The Government could fast track the negotiations to a conclusion by settling on the existing claim immediately, she said.

- NZPA