Bill fund could reach $50,000

Press, 9 March 1988, Page 3

Bill fund could reach $50,000

A secondary teachers’ fighting fund to attack the State Sector Bill could reach $50,000 in Christchurch as a result of today’s “teach-in.” Post-Primary Teachers’ Association members voted at a meeting last week to give the day’s pay to the fund. The 1000 teachers will remain at work for the day, although some special activities have been planned at the schools. The association’s Christchurch president, Mr Kevin McSweeney, said they would pledge their day’s pay — an estimated $50,000 — to the fund. Half of the money would be held in the regions to support regional and branch activity, and the rest would_.be sent to the national organisation. It was likely to be used for advertising campaigns to put the case against the bill, which has already

stirred widespread industrial action by primary and post-primary teachers. Even if the Government changed some details of the bill, association members were still concerned about some of its basic principles, he said.

Teachers were concerned about the educational disruption the bill would cause, if they had to take industrial action every time they made a pay claim, he said.

• Primary schoolteachers in the Christchurch Central electorate will be on strike today in protest against the State Sector Bill. The same schools will be affected on March 23. Schools in the Christchurch Central electorate are Christchurch East, Linwood Avenue, Linwood Intermediate, Linwood North, Phillipstown, Richmond and St Mary’s.