Media Release
10th October 2001
Government Has Encouraged Teacher Strike Action
"Secondary teachers are hanging the Minister of Education with a petard of his own making," New Zealand First Education
Spokesperson, Brian Donnelly said today.
For years Trevor Mallard has been telling secondary teachers how nasty previous governments have been for not giving
them what they demanded.
The message was "Vote for us and we will satisfy your demands." Huge expectations have been set up. Now faced with the
realities of government, Mr Mallard is not prepared to satisfy those expectations. It is little wonder teachers feel
aggrieved.
"It is ironic that the first teachers' strike since 1996 is taking place under a supposedly education friendly Labour /
Alliance government," said Mr Donnelly.
ENDS