Teachers’ Strike Confirmed

Secondary teachers will walk off the job on Friday following confirmation of a national strike by the PPTA executive last week.

The industrial action is being taken in protest at the lack of settlement of a secondary teachers collective agreement. Teachers failed to ratify a proposed collective agreement taken to them through a series of paid union meetings earlier this month.

Members will now be asked to vote on what further industrial action they are prepared to take in order to reach a new settlement.

They will be given a list of suggestions and will have until 6 March to either accept or reject those suggestions by way of a vote during meetings at their schools.

Negotiations will recommence with the Ministry of Education on Thursday.

PPTA president Jen McCutcheon said while the strike may cause disruption to students and parents, it was vital that teachers were given the opportunity to display their disappointment and anger at the lack of recognition of them and their profession by the Government.

“This is a way of venting that frustration and naturally we support them in that,” she said.

Activities on the strike day are still being planned and will be advised later this week.

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