Media Release
Boards well prepared for strike action,
says NZSTA
Schools have been strongly advised to remain open during tomorrow’s secondary teacher strike action, says the New
Zealand School Trustees Association.
General Manager Ray Newport says advice from NZSTA and the Ministry of Education has been sent to all secondary schools
and intermediate schools likely to be affected by tomorrow’s strike by secondary teachers. Schools are advised to remain
open tomorrow and during any subsequent action – and if at all possible, they are to continue to remain open for
instruction.
“While schools can close in emergency situations such as epidemics, fire and floods, industrial action is not considered
to constitute such an emergency according to the provisions of the Education Act.”
Ray Newport says NZSTA is advising schools that it is work as normal for any staff not involved in tomorrow’s strike
action and that each school will have to make its own decision as to whether there are sufficient teachers available to
teach students.
Boards of trustees who are uncertain as to the number of teachers likely to strike at their school may decide to ask
parents and caregivers to keep their students at home for the day. However, schools will be providing supervision
arrangements for any students who do turn up for class. Relieving teachers cannot be used to do the work of striking
teachers, but schools can use relievers to help supervise students.
“For striking staff the no work-no pay principle will apply. Teachers who do take strike action, including rostering
home and other forms of strike action, can expect pay deductions from their salaries,” Ray Newport says.
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For more information contact:
Ray Newport, General Manager, NZSTA
0274 449 629 or 04 471 6414 (wk)