Area teachers to join strikes

The results of the area teacher strike ballot are in: area teachers will join their primary and area school principal colleagues in industrial action this term.

According to NZEI Te Riu Roa, the area teacher strikes will include a relief teacher work ban, a ban on after-hours work meetings and rolling strikes from Tuesday 9 May to Thursday 11 May.

Area teachers in the NZEI Te Riu Roa union will join area teachers undertaking strike action with the PPTA Te Wehengarua Secondary Teachers union. 

Read the Term 1 edition of School News HERE.

Area school teacher and member of the negotiation team Kaareen Hotereni, says “members do not take the decision to strike lightly but we are frustrated that the Government is moving so slowly on our claims.

“Tamariki deserve teachers who have the time and resources to ensure that all students and their whānau are well supported in their school journey.” 

The industrial action vote from area school teachers follows the action taken by primary and area school principals, who are weeks into their two month work ban which began on Monday 24 April, the first day of Term Two. 

Although only one offer has been made to area school teachers so far, back in December 2022, negotations with the Ministry of Education are set to continue at the end of next week. 

If a satisfactory offer is made, area school teachers have indicated industrial action may be called off.