Teachers: More strikes unless Govt talks to us

Each side says the other needs to take the first step in negotiations. Photo / Dean Purcell

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A standoff between secondary teachers and the Ministry of Education looks likely to continue with both sides implying the other needs to take the first step in stalled negotiations.

Thousands of teachers went on strike around the country yesterday in a bid for better pay and conditions and by last night there were indications of more industrial action.

The Post Primary Teachers Association's 16,000 members want a 4 per cent pay rise and improved working conditions but the ministry is only offering 1.5 per cent this year and a further 1 per cent next year.

PPTA president Kate Gainsford said teachers have voted for a package of protest and industrial action and the strike was only the first part of that.

Future action, if a settlement wasn't reached by next term, could include bans on teachers attending after-hours meetings and students being told to stay at home on different days depending on their year level.

Ms Gainsford said further action would depend on the "kind of treatment we receive at the hands of Government" and the ball was now in the ministry's court.

"We want them to engage seriously with the issues we have raised so we need to have a very clear indication from them that they would proceed in that way and not in the way they have to date."

She said there was no scheduled meeting between the two parties and it would be "a good start" if the ministry gave the PPTA a call with a genuine desire to negotiate.

The ministry has responded by saying the PPTA needs to prioritise its claims, be prepared to bargain constructively, call off its unnecessary and disruptive industrial action, and return to the table. It indicated yesterday the onus was on the union.

"Our doors are open to resume bargaining at any time and the PPTA is aware of that," said a ministry spokeswoman. The stalled negotiations saw about 2000 Auckland teachers, most dressed in black, converge on Albert Park yesterday carrying signs, banners and placards with messages such as "invest in our future" and "fair play, fair pay".

Jonathan Jaffrey, a physics teacher at Long Bay College and executive member of the PPTA's northern ward, told the crowd it was fitting they were gathering on World Democracy Day.

"We have a message for the Government that even if they don't value public education we do."

He said teachers weren't "greedy" and he wouldn't be apologising for asking for schools to be "healthy and safe places for students to learn".

Mr Jaffrey said teachers were not prepared to back down and would continue taking action, even into next year if needed, until the Government came back with a "fair and reasonable offer".

Many teachers yesterday said their strike action wasn't just about a pay rise. They said other claims such as reducing class sizes and improving conditions were equally important.

As the teachers left Albert Park and marched down Queen St, where police stopped traffic, members of the public tooted and shouted support.

In Wellington about 1000 teachers marched on Parliament. Others rallied and picketed throughout the country.

Education Minister Anne Tolley urged the PPTA to "get back around the bargaining table and recognise the difficult economic circumstances the country is facing".

The Ministry of Education's workforce group manager Fiona McTavish said the ministry had made a "very good offer" which included the pay rise, and offers of more sabbaticals, allowances, non-contact hours, and relief teacher days.

TEACHERS WANT
* A 4 per cent pay rise.
* Limits on class sizes, especially in labs and workshops.
* Improved safety in school grounds.
* Investment in professional development.
* Fairer working hours for part-time teachers.