Secondary school teachers have set the date they'll strike next, if they don't soon get what they want from the Government - April 3.
"We have been negotiating with the Government for a settlement to our collective agreement since August last year and our members are running out of patience," Post Primary Teachers' Association (PPTA) president Jack Boyle said on Saturday morning.
"Jacinda Ardern's Government knows the situation in secondary schools isn't business as usual. Teachers want to be working with students in our classrooms. We don't want to be put in the position where we have to take industrial action. If we have no other options, we will."
PPTA members rejected the latest offer from the Government in November, and raised the prospect of a 'super strike' coordinated with primary school teachers.
- Kiwi teachers enticed to the UAE while NZ recruits overseas educators
- Teachers' strike: Primary principals and teachers reject latest pay offer
Secondary Principals' Association president Michael Williams in November said he was surprised the Government hasn't met the teachers' demands, which include better working conditions and pay.
"I personally don't think it was enough to address… the problems we have attracting people into the profession. I think the union was quite reasonable and conciliatory in their first claim."
The Government has been trying to get more teachers from overseas to ease the shortage, but principals have been slow in hiring them.
Newshub.
