By John Gerritsen of RNZ
Primary school teachers belonging to the NZEI Te Riu Roa union have rejected the government’s latest pay offer.
The decision followed last week’s vote by primary school principals - belonging to the same union - to reject a potential settlement.
It stands in contrast to secondary schools, where teachers and principals have accepted similar deals.
The primary school teacher offer included a pay rise of 2.5% on January 28 and 2.1% a year later.
It also dropped a government claim for more ‘‘call-back days’’, requiring teachers to work outside of term time.
NZEI primary teacher negotiation team lead Liam Rutherford said teacher aides, administrative staff, librarians, kaia ¯rahi i te reo, therapists, science technicians and other school staff had also rejected their respective government offers.
‘‘The outcome reflects deep dissatisfaction among our teachers, who are demanding an offer that genuinely addresses cost-of-living pressures and upholds their professional claims,’’ Mr Rutherford said.
‘‘The rejected offer is barely different from the unacceptable offer primary teachers also thumbed down in September.
‘‘It entirely omits any reference to upholding Te Tiriti in education — which is one of our core claims.
‘‘The absence of this commitment, coupled with the substandard pay offer, tells teachers they are neither financially valued nor supported in their cultural obligations to learners.
‘‘The sector is standing together for a fair settlement.’’
Union members overwhelmingly rejected the offer.
The union would seek further negotiations in January if possible, Mr Rutherford said.
