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The Wellington High School PPTA branch unanimously passed the following resolution today:

"That the WHS PPTA branch supports the NZEI Support Staff claim against the Ministry of Education's offer."

Support staff are grossly underpaid and their skilled work allows us to focus on the learning needs of our students. Support Staff do not get paid during any of the school holidays and very few get any school time for professional development. They are largely expected to do it in their own time.

WHS would like other schools to support our colleagues and write to the Minister, Ministry of Education and NZEI as we are doing.

NZEI Fair Deal for Support Staff campaign

(posted on behalf of WHS PPTA branch)


Support from across the Tasman

Posted by: blogger

Tagged in: teaching , STCA , schools , PPTA , pay , John Key , funding , education spending , education , conditions , Australia , Anne Tolley

By David

I am a New Zealand trained teacher who was lured over the Tasman by the need to live in a country that respects and values education.

Throughout Australia, various levels of government are injecting over $16 Billion into schools in a program called the Building Education Revolution. We have new halls, gyms and state of the art classrooms in our public schools.

The Digital Education Revolution (valued at over $2 Billion) is delivering laptops, broadband and essential ICT services to schools – often resulting in a ratio of 1 computer to one student.

As a teacher in Australia I feel empowered by salaries that can surpass $80,000 per year (although this is still inadequate) and the security of ongoing professional development from a well-organised State Government.

One day I would love to return to my homeland of New Zealand, and see my family live the Kiwi childhoods that my wife and I enjoyed whilst growing up.

There really is no place like New Zealand – believe me.

But the idea of returning to teach in New Zealand is laughable.

I am not prepared to sacrifice my career and all that I have worked for to live as an undervalued, overworked educator living on a pauper’s wage.

Don’t give in to the insulting and belittling rhetoric of John Key and Anne Tolley. It is time for the teachers of New Zealand to stand up for what is fair.

So from one former member of PPTA to those who have done the right thing and continue to believe in the New Zealand educational system, I have one request. Please don’t back down.

Keep fighting for the pay and conditions that our profession requires to thrive.

Kia kaha!


 


Entrenchment refers to a clause in the NZEI primary teachers' collective agreement.  This clause is an agreement between NZEI and the MoE, it means that any increases in pay made to PPTA members will also be offered to NZEI members. 

If  NZEI members accept the offer, being taken out to them by their executive, they will receive an immediate pay-rise.

PPTA members  have rejected the miserly mixed up offers of the Ministry - and have said they will continue to fight for improved teaching and learning conditions in secondary schools. 


Dear John (Hayes)

Posted by: Richard

How I hate to write
But I must take offense
At your lack of common sense.
You called us all puppets
And that simply doesn’t cut it.

We are teachers of the youth
And we simply told the truth
The MOE offer, to say the least
Teachers, it tries to fleece

We aren’t playing any game
National though has gone insane
You mantra comes from every corner
And education will soon be poorer


Not disconnected - sidelined!

Posted by:

I have been playing around with the Reserve Bank Inflation Calculator and it has thrown up some interesting statistics.

My calculations show that teachers rather than being disconnected have been sidelined.  Mr Key says we have had significant pay increases over the last 10 years however what is significant is the fact that this has been insignificant in real terms when adjusted for inflation.

Compared are 2000 at top of basic scale $50300 with 2010 top of basic scale $68980

Salary  for 2010:

2000 - 2010 CPI adjusted is $65,000
2000 - 2010 Wage increases adjusted is $70,750
2000 - 2010 Food price increases adjusted is $69,000
2000 - 2010 Housing price increase adjusted is $105,000

Averaging these out is $77,000

Salaries have kept pace with food but that is it. In real terms secondary school teachers' salaries are barely keeping up with inflation.
In terms of food and housing someone teaching in 2000 would need to be earning $87,000 in 2010 just to keep pace with inflation.

Actually no New Zealand Government has given secondary teachers a decent pay increase in the last decade. So far it has been a catch up for inflation. Increases in productivity (NCEA workload etc ) have NOT been rewarded.


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