Teachers ‘disappointed’ that strike off

Press, 3 November 1981, Page 1

Teachers ‘disappointed’ that strike off

Christchurch primary schoolteachers were disappointed that their strike was called off, the Christchurch branch president of the Educational Institute (Mr A. G. Teale) said yesterday. The institute’s president (Mr D. E. Stewart) announced yesterday that there would be no strike by New Zealand primary schoolteachers in spite of their pay claim setbacks. “Everyone was geared up for strike action,” said Mr Teale. “The reaction so far has been disappointment.” Christchurch teachers had strongly supported going on strike over their pay claim. “Perhaps after they read the five-page statement issued by the national executive they will change their mind,” Mr Teale said. The statement said the Minister of Education (Mr Wellington) had made it clear that if the teachers went on strike it would delay the hearing, of their claim by the Government Service Tribunal. “Mr Wellington had intimiated fairly strongly that if we went on strike, we would lose some of the things we had gained in the negotiations,” said Mr Teale. Christchurch teachers voted to support the national executive in whatever action it took, he said. The Press Association reported that Mr Stewart said there would be no strike "in the meantime.” “The national executive of the institute does not believe that anything further can be gained by industrial action at present,” he said. The executive had clarified with the Minister what it would discuss before the tribunal.

"The Minister assured us that limitations suggested by. the education services committee were not intended;” said Mr Stewart. . The N.Z.E.I. had been concerned that it might not be able to discuss some payrelated matter before the tribunal. He said the N.Z.E.I. feared it was being forced to decide on some issues at the education services committee hearing rather than the tribunal hearing. The institute must present a case for its pay claims to the committee. The Government then replies to this case before the tribunal considers the claim. Mr Stewart said the executive decision not to strike was unanimous. Strike action could have had some “delaying effects.” He said the N.Z.E.I. may again have to consider strike action if there were delays to the pay claim hearing. “I would hope the tribunal would make its decision before the election,” he said. Executive members discussed whether to strike in a conference phone link on Friday. The 92 institute branches were told of the executive decision during the week-end and yesterday. ' Restructuring teachers salaries and a request for salary parity with secondary school teachers are among the requests in the. pay claim. Mr Stewart said the Government said that the ’ tribunal must rule on the : -salary parity question. The : claim will go before the tribunal on November 16. Mr Stewart said 80 per i cent of New Zealand’s prim- ■ ary school teachers voted to support strike action.