Teachers' Pay: Here We Go Again

Tuesday 10 Aug 2004

Deborah Coddington - Press Releases - Education

If secondary school teachers are unhappy with the new pay deal being offered by the Government, what will happen when the pay round concludes in three years, ACT New Zealand Education Spokesman Deborah Coddington said today.

"The never-ending threat of industrial action by secondary school teachers highlights the shortcomings of Education Minister Trevor Mallard's centralised pay negotiation system," Miss Coddington said.

"The current situation was inevitable and, until a National/ACT government changes the pay system, today's scenario will be repeated every time an election looms.

"Thanks to the antiquated negotiation system between the PPTA and the Education Ministry, Mr Mallard can placate the teacher unions for their support at the polling booth.

"Under ACT's policy of devolved funding, this wouldn't be an issue.

"Individual schools and communities should have the freedom to pay good teachers what they are worth, instead of being dictated to by government bureaucrats and unionists.

"It's time we started treating teachers like professionals, instead of forcing them to threaten industrial action every time they want more money," Miss Coddington said.

ENDS

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