The secondary teachers' union and the Government are at loggerheads over the process for implementing independent arbitration which was seen as a way forward in their long-running industrial dispute.
The Post Primary Teachers Association (PPTA) has criticised Education Minister Trevor Mallard for announcing on Friday that the dispute had reached an
impasse and both parties had agreed to call in arbitrators.
PPTA president Jen McCutcheon said today Mr Mallard's announcement was premature as its members had not yet agreed to arbitration.
"Our members need to consider whether or not they want to go into arbitration."
There have been calls for the PPTA to call off industrial action planned for this week while the arbitration process takes place but Mrs McCutcheon said: "It would be rather premature to call off industrial action while we still have a claim on the table that we would like seriously considered."
Mrs McCutcheon said the PPTA had not yet received a decision from its members as to whether to consent to arbitration because it was following "due process, making sure our members are well informed".
Mr Mallard told National Radio he "didn't jump the gun at all" in making the announcement on Friday.
"There was an agreement on a telephone call including Jen ...on Thursday night as to a process which would have their executive dealing with it over the weekend with it going out either last night or this morning to members and members responding tomorrow," Mr Mallard said.
- NZPA
