Hon Bill English
National Party Education Spokesman
6 November 2006
NZEI inconveniences parents
The Government and unions should take into account the cost to parents when negotiating more time off for teachers, says
National’s Education spokesman, Bill English.
More than 20,000 primary school teachers and principals are taking half a day today to discuss industrial negotiations.
“All around the country parents have to either pay for extra childcare, take time off work or break the law by leaving
underage children at home alone,” says Mr English.
“As far as parents are aware, there are no current issues facing teachers that are significant enough to warrant this
inconvenience.
“Teachers have a legitimate right to discuss employment matters with their union but the NZEI has a representative in
every staffroom who should know what’s on teachers’ minds without having schools close for half the day,” says Mr
English.
ENDS