Rotorua teachers to march down Tutanekai St on strike day

NZEI Union members voted for strike action at a meeting back in June before changing the plan from a three-hour to a full-day strike. Photo / File

Teachers around Rotorua and the country will be putting down their whiteboard markers to strike for better conditions.

Members of the NZEI teachers' union are going on strike for a full day tomorrow .

In Rotorua they plan to march the length of Tutanekai St, from the Village Green to Central Mall.

NZEI branch manager Aimee Goldsmith said they would discuss the claim at the Village Green then walk down either side of the street so traffic would not be affected.

She said they were expecting anywhere from 400 to 800 people.

"We've got all our teachers, then we've got parents who have said they are keen to show their support with kids. The nurses might come down too."

"Wednesday is all about showing a united front as teachers that we're not okay. We're in crisis and something needs to be done."

Goldsmith said members of the public were welcome to march with the teachers to show their support.

"It's about the kids and at the moment they are suffering."

Lynmore Primary School principal Lorraine Taylor said all of the teachers at the school were members of the union so would be taking part in the march and strike.

"We have a few teachers who have made banners. They all have different messages on them. Largely we've been focused on teacher shortages and support for children with additional needs."

Taylor said the pupils knew there was no school on Wednesday but the school had left it to parents to explain why.

Kaitao Intermediate principal Phil Palfrey said all of the teachers at the school were part of the union too and the board of trustees had made the decision to close the school for the day.

The manager of The Zone at Motion Entertainment, Adam Baird, said he was expecting a spike in patronage and had put on extra staff members for the day.

"There's normally about 14 staff members. Tomorrow there'll be 20 or more."

Baird said he noticed a spike when schools were off such as on teacher-only days or during the holidays.

He said it was a good coincidence the strike was on a Wednesday as that was the locals day at Motion Entertainment.

"Each attraction has a different offer."

Most commenters on the Rotorua Daily Post Facebook page were supportive of the strike.

"I am so thankful for the education teachers provide and the support in ensuring my children are ready for what their future holds.

"I'll be hanging out with my children this Wednesday reminding them why their education is important, why their teachers are important and most of all why their futures are important," one parent wrote.

Another said: "I support the teachers 100 per cent the kids are our future and teachers put in some hard work to help educate our kids."

One person said the strike was difficult for parents who had to work.

NZEI union members voted to strike for an entire day, replacing the previously planned three-hour strikes. The last time primary school teachers went on strike was 24 years ago.

It is the school board's decision whether or not to close a school. Contact your child's school to find out what's happening.

What you need to know
- In June NZEI rejected the ministry's offer to increase pay, in the majority of cases, by between 2.2 and 2.6 per cent for three years.
- Teachers and principals want a 16 per cent pay rise over the two years.
- Members also want to fix the teacher-shortage crisis, more time to teach and lead, and to fix issues related to career development.
- It is the first primary school teachers' strike since 1994.
- The Secretary of Education decides on any pay deductions.
- There will be lots of events, marching and picketing on strike day.