Hon Bill English
National Education Spokesman
23 August 2004
Mallard offers bonus for union membership
The Government is using the education dollar to bribe teachers to join the teachers' union, says National's Education
spokesman, Bill English.
Mr English has been advised that members of the PPTA have been offered a $500 bonus for signing up to the latest pay
deal. Non-union members will not receive the bonus.
"Parents are keen to see teachers rewarded for competence and hard work, not for union membership," says Mr English.
"Trevor Mallard needs to explain to parents who are left to run cake stalls and sell raffle tickets to pay the salaries
of 3797 teachers around the country why he is using taxpayers' money to build union membership.
"Parents send their kids to school to get a good education - they shouldn't be fodder for union politics.
"If he has this much money going spare, why can't he give it to teachers who run sports and cultural groups outside
school hours? Better yet, what about a bonus for teachers who do an outstanding job in the classroom?
"I am not surprised that the PPTA agreed to a relatively low pay increase when their membership is already taken care of
with this $500 bonus.
"This is just one more example of Labour and their buddies at the teachers' union putting their own interests ahead of
parents and children," says Mr English.
Ends