23 May 2002
CTU Calls On Secondary Teachers To Observe Agreed Democratic Processes
“The wildcat actions of some secondary teachers runs counter to the democratic process of ratification,” said Council of
Trade Unions president Ross Wilson today.
“We take pride in the fact that the Council of Trade Unions, which includes the PPTA, is the largest democratic
organisation in New Zealand,” he said.
“It is our practice to act democratically and make decisions collectively.”
Ross Wilson said the wildcat strikes pre-empted a report back to union members on the settlement and the democratic
debate which takes place at the ratification meetings.
“All PPTA members have committed themselves to those agreed processes and unilateral wildcat action weakens rather than
strengthens the PPTA as a collective bargaining unit for secondary teachers.”
Ross Wilson said that part of the settlement provided for an independent task force on secondary education.
“I think I speak for all unions when I call on secondary teachers to follow their democratic processes, to give serious
consideration to the settlement negotiated by their union, and to commit to the next phase of the PPTA strategy to
improve the pay and conditions for teachers,” he said.
“I also know that there will be strong support from other unions for a campaign around the task force to recognise the
real value of teachers.”
Ends