11 Nov 2010

Secondary teachers suspend strike

6:24 am on 11 November 2010

The secondary teachers union has suspended Thursday's strike affecting year 10 students.

The Post Primary Teachers' Association says the Ministry of Education required the strike suspension before pay talks could continue.

Both sides say the negotiations are the last chance to reach a settlement before the end of the school year.

Sticking points in the talks include class size and teaching conditions.

The Post Primary Teachers' Association has three more strike days scheduled this year.

Offer rejected

The primary school teachers' union says its members have rejected the Government's pay offer.

The Educational Institute says teachers were offered a 1.8% pay rise, plus a one-off payment of $1000.

But the union's members refused that offer at meetings in October and have started action that includes billing the Government for overtime.

The union has asked members to record any hours worked above 45 per week in the next fortnight and wants them to invoice the Government for that time.

The Educational Institute says its members will vote on industrial action next year if a settlement is not reached before then.

It says the Government's offer is insulting and inadequate.