Teachers’ morale improves—union

Press, 18 June 1986, Page 29

Teachers’ morale improves—union

PA Wellington The morale of secondary school teachers throughout the country has improved after the settlement of their pay claim, says the Teachers’ Union president, Mr Peter Allen. Mr Allen, president of the Post-Primary Teachers’ Association, has just returned to Wellington from visiting Canterbury and Thames Valley teachers. He said the general mood of teachers was one of improved morale. Teachers were happy not only at the level of pay Increases they received (31 per cent at the top of the basic scale), but they also saw the Public Sector Tribunal’s decision as support for their stand on the issue.

Secondary teachers took unprecedented industrial action at the start of the school year in support of their claim, which was based largely on the teacher shortage and recruitment and retention problem. Mr Allen said there was still concern at whether the increase would ease the problem, particularly recruitment. There was a strong view from Canterbury that unless teacher trainees were paid salaries, the recruitment problem would not be solved. The P.P.T.A. would continue to monitor teacher numbers during the second term, traditionally a time when some leave the profession.