Does the government even want to settle?

Media Release
9 November, 2010
Does the government even want to settle? – PPTA

PPTA negotiators were left doubting the government’s commitment to settling the Secondary Teachers’ Collective Agreement, after two days of hard bargaining.

While PPTA had not walked away from the bargaining table, rostering home actions – including this Thursday’s – remain in place, PPTA president Kate Gainsford said.

“Of course action can be called off if progress is made.”

None of the current action affects the senior school and their preparation for NCEA, she said.

“We are seriously wondering about the government’s commitment to settling.

“We have gone back into bargaining on our own initiative with an open approach. The ministry’s lack of movements or even willingness to engage in concrete commitments to improvements in conditions is disappointing,” she said.

“In particular, we are not confident that the government is committed to dealing with the serious issue of class size with any sense of urgency.”

To return to the bargaining table PPTA had to bring its negotiating team in from all around the country, Gainsford said.

“For us it means taking teachers away from their classrooms which is not something we do lightly…we have been bargaining for five long months now and are beginning to question whether there is a genuine commitment from the government to settle or whether education is a priority for them at all.”

ENDS

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