Delegates From Schools Rescind Strike Motion

Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30827, 12 August 1965, Page 14

Delegates From Schools Rescind Strike Motion

A motion calling for a oneday closure of schools throughout the country in protest over caretakers’ wages was unanimously rescinded at a meeting of the Canterbury School Committees’ Association last evening. The motion was carried at the association’s annual meeting, and Mr K. I. Pillidge (Shirley) moved to have it rescinded. A call for a strike was spectacular, and would draw attention, said Mr H. R. Atkinson (Waimairi). who second ed Mr Pillidge’s motion. But the strike itself might prove a “fizzer.” Moreover, children would be given the lesson that their elders favoured strike or lock-out action in a difficult situation. A message from Mrs M. E. Rae (Christchurch East), who proposed the original motion at the annual meeting, and was not present last evening was r"ad by Mrs M. G Metcalf (Waltham). School committees normall?. ■■ wo-ked through the education boards, the Department of rag Education, the standing committees on administration and the Minister of Education.

the message said. In March these all agreed on new conditions for caretakers, but the Treasury rejected their proposal. The school committees should now turn to the public, who. while not interested in the administration of education, might notice if schools were closed for a day. Caretakers had a very close schedule of duties to be done in a 40-hour week, at a minimum rate of pay, said Mrs T. A Dutton (Ilesworth) “1 feel that this whole motion was flung on to the table and that delegates were not given time to consider what the repercussions would be,” said Mr R. K. Milne, a life member. After the original motion was rescinded, a new motion, moved by Mr Milne and amended by Mr Pillidge, was carried. It empowered the association to take up the matter once more with the Minister of Education to improve wages and conditions for school caretakers

Mr J. S. Cook (Wharenui) moved that Mrs Rae's letter be sent to the Minister, but his motion lapsed for want of a seconder.