Levin teachers to strike after wage offer dismissed

Frustrated teachers and school principals voted overwhelmingly in favor of a three-hour work stoppage on August 15, and are now discussing the opportunity to extend the strike to a full day.

since 1994.

At the union meeting at the Levin East School on June 21, local representatives of NZEI stated that the government's offer was not good enough .

"Too many teachers leave and the number of new graduates decreases Nearly 17 percent of new teachers continue their education within three years of graduation.

Levin East School Principal Riki Sheterline explains stress issues, class sizes, lack of resources for children and teachers.

In the past two weeks, at well-paid union meetings across the country, NZEI Te Riu Roa's principal director and teaching staff expressed their anger at the Minist

. school and teachers had asked for more time to teach and direct, more support for children with additional learning needs and a boost to counter the teacher shortage.

(about 86 percent) are offered a salary increase ranging from about 2.2 to 2.6 percent a year for three years, and only an extra 12 minutes a week to work individually with the children or plan and evaluate learning.

The offer was a far cry from the 16% over two years that members had identified as being necessary to solve the recruitment and retention problems that had developed during the previous national government's mandate. The request for funding a Special Needs Education Coordinator (SENCO) in each school to help children with additional learning needs was also ignored.

Chief Negotiator for Teachers, Liam Rutherford, said the current crisis The government would not take seriously the problems the profession is facing.

"At several meetings, members felt that a work stoppage from 1:30 pm to 4:30 pm was not sending a strong enough message, and there was" In response, "he said. NZEI National Executive is now asking members to comment on the opportunity to extend the strike, which could result in an electronic vote early in the next term. School, Louise Green, said that teachers and principals were aware of the disadvantages for students and families, but we are taking action now to avoid the real threat of larger class sizes. "

Green said continued support from school communities and whanau was critical to the success of the campaign, and a national day of school community engagement is scheduled for August 3.

A recent survey found broad community support for a significant salary increase for teachers.

"We want to be able to give every student a quality education that meets their needs, and our parent communities understand it," said Ms. Green. "Elementary school teachers have not carried out any trade union action in New Zealand since 1994 and the fact that we were taking such a step shows the serious concerns we have for the future of". quality public education.The government must make courageous decisions now for NZEI will meet the ministry in other negotiations over the next few weeks to try to reach a settlement that addresses the issues that directors and teachers have raised

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