Secondary teachers to resume strike action

Secondary educators union PPTA Te Wehengarua has advised its members to reject the latest offer from the Ministry of Education. In an email to members, the PPTA called the offer “inadequate”, putting an end to the pause on strike action announced on May 22.

Strikes resumed at the start of June, with Year 12s being sent home on Thursday 1 June as a continuation of rostering home, which began at the start of Term 2.  

Read the Term 2 edition of School News HERE

Year 10s will be rostered home on Tuesday 6 June and Year 9s on Thursday 8 June.  

The latest pay offer included pay rises between 11 and 15.5 percent by December 2024. Changes included moving from a three-year term to a two-year term, though the offer would have taken effect from July rather than being backdated to December 2022.  

In an email to members, the PPTA said improvements included non-contact time equity for part-time teachers from the start of 2025 and a salary increase for relievers. However, the union noted that the top offer had not changed. A vote is set to be held on the offer, including further industrial action.  

PPTA Acting President Chris Abercrombie said of the decision to continue strike action:  

“This is not something we take lightly… We want to be in classrooms teaching. We want to settle. But we need teachers and pay that matches the cost of living. The membership will speak in their votes.”  

Abercrombie pointed out that teachers had seen their pay stall for two years, including a one-year negotiation period.  

“That time period was some of the highest inflation we’ve seen,” Abercrombie continued.  

The Ministry of Education has said that if the offer is again rejected, the negotiation will continue with the facilitation from the Employment Relations Authority.  

A similar offer was made to primary educators, represented by NZEI Te Riu Roa. Their offer also included a lump-sum of $4500 and their agreement has also been shortened to a two-year term. Many primary schools were closed on Wednesday 31 May to discuss the new offer.