Paid union meetings to be replaced by online ballots following terrorist attacks
21 March 2019
Primary teachers and principals will now vote in online ballots about whether to accept the Ministry's latest collective
agreement offers, following the cancellation of this week's paid union meetings.
The NZEI Te Riu Roa National Executive decided on Sunday to cancel the meetings as a mark of respect to the 50 people
killed in the terrorist attack in Christchurch -- and so members could be in their schools this week to provide
continuity and stability for their students.
After discussions with member leaders in Christchurch, the National Executive decided last night to run an electronic
ballot from Monday 1 April to Friday 5 April. We think this is the least disruptive way for members to respond to the
Ministry's current offers.
Next week's nationwide paid union meetings for Area School teachers have also been cancelled for the same reasons.
Area school teacher members will now hold joint site meetings after school with their PPTA colleagues to discuss and
vote on endorsing their claim for upcoming collective agreement negotiations.
ENDS