10 August 2004
What planet is Deborah Coddington on?
Deborah Coddington has got her facts wrong, says PPTA president Phil Smith.
He said far from threatening industrial action, secondary teachers would over the next three weeks meet to consider
proposals for the settlement of a three-year collective agreement package worth $270 million.
“Maybe she is confusing the two teacher unions because if she had read our media release she would find no mention of
industrial action.
“But then, did Ms Coddington ever worry about the facts?
“In any case, secondary teachers use strike action as a last resort and only to take principled stands in defence of the
quality of secondary education. Such stands were necessary in 2001-02 because the Government was refusing to address
secondary recruitment and retention concerns.
“This time around, the pay system that Coddington so despises, and a constructive negotiating environment, have
delivered a comprehensive set of proposals for teachers to vote on by the end of the month, proposals that if ratified
would go some way to enhancing the secondary teaching profession and the learning of all students.
“It seems a pity that Coddington and her Act colleagues are still mired in the failed policies of the 1990s which New
Zealanders voted to reject in 1999.”
ENDS