NZEI Te Riu Roa teacher’s union representative Jen Jeffery, who brought protest resources including signage and a rainbow striped flag from Dunedin, said the Balclutha turnout reflected solidarity between unions.
"We’ve got Etu union members supporting us and NZNO, ASMS and PSA and some firefighters joining us as well," she said.
“The purpose of our striking today is kotahitanga [unity] . . . putting forward to the government what we’re fighting for, which is work conditions, fair pay and quality education for our tamariki.
"We need to make sure that we have teacher aids in every classroom and that the Treaty of Waitangi is honoured."
She would not be drawn on what honouring the Treaty meant for teaching in practical terms.
South Otago High School teacher and PTA branch chairman Toby Swallow, who addressed the crowd, said teachers wanted the best for students but could no longer tolerate growing workloads and resource shortages.
"Teachers would rather be in our classrooms today, but we will not let our education system go under-resourced any longer," he said.
"We are striking because the collective agreement offers secondary teachers have received so far will not fix the teachers supply crisis. In fact, the last offer sought to increase teacher workloads at a time when teachers are already leaving the profession."
Both representatives acknowledged public servants’ pay came from the public purse, but both declined to speculate how their demands might affect taxation or other publicly funded sectors.
"For me it’s more about pastoral care," Mr Swallow said, "It’s hard to teach children who aren’t attending, haven’t eaten properly or have specialised mental health needs."
A Public Service Association spokeswoman estimated more than 18,000 members and supporters were involved in the nationwide demonstration, and claimed Government’s priorities meant pay offers did not meet the cost of living crisis, while "landlords and tobacco companies get big tax breaks."
