Secondary Teachers Vote For Arbitration

Media Release

23rd July 2002

Teachers give ADR green light

Secondary teachers have voted for an alternative dispute resolution (ADR) process as a possible means of settling their long-running struggle with the Government.

PPTA president Jen McCutcheon said the vote, by 76% of members, meant that the rostering action tomorrow (Wednesday) and one-day strike planned for Friday, would not proceed.

"The Executive now has a clear mandate from members to pursue an arbitrated solution to this dispute, so all high-level industrial action will be suspended until the process is complete and members have decided whether or not to accept the outcomes of such a process."

Bans on day relief, attendance at out-of-hours meetings, involvement in extra-curricular activities, compliance with NCEA Level 1, and work related to the development of Levels 2 and 3 of the NCEA, would remain in place, at least until this weekend's meeting of the national executive. The bans will be reviewed at the meeting.

Mrs McCutcheon said comments from members, attached to their voting results, indicated a distinct unhappiness with the interference last week of the Education Minister and School Trustees Association president, in the consultation process. "I'm sure that encouraged a good number of our members to vote against the proposal."

Many members were also sceptical about the composition of the ADR panel, in particular Dame Margaret Bazley and Doug Martin. "Neither of these people are deemed to be union-friendly but they are independent thinkers with integrity. However most members have decided to give this arbitration process a go and ultimately they will decide whether the outcomes fly or die."

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