Media Release

13 June 2002

We’d rather have a settlement Mr Mallard

The Post Primary Teachers’ Association would rather have a settlement than a roll-over of their Secondary Teachers Collective Agreement.

PPTA president Jen McCutcheon said today that the implications of a roll-over of the collective agreement meant that secondary teachers would not be able to take industrial action for 40 days after bargaining begins.

“And that is very handy for a Government seeking re-election. We wouldn’t rule out a roll-over if it is fair but the implications of it at present are that it would gag our members and that’s unacceptable to us,” Mrs McCutcheon said.

“Our members, once they know of the implications of a roll-over, will stand by our decision. It’s a poisoned chalice and of no benefit to our members at this point in time,” Mrs McCutcheon said.

Mrs McCutcheon said she was disappointed Mr Mallard had taken this stand.

“There is still time between now and July 1 when Mr Mallard is threatening to place teachers on individual agreements and we would hope we could make some progress on a satisfactory collective agreement in that time.”

“We thought the Government was committed to that as well.”

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