Primary school principals have agreed to a new 26-month pay deal with the Ministry of Education, gaining a 2.5 percent increase this year and 2.1 percent next year.
The Primary Principals Collective Bargaining Union said 95 percent of members backed the offer, which was reached without any threat of strike action.
Union president Mark Ellis told state-funded media good-faith talks led to a fair outcome amid cost-of-living pressures, and discussions will continue on recognising principals’ experience through tenure-based pay. However, NZEI Te Riu Roa members, including many principals and teachers, still plan to strike on 23 October.
Which places them ahead or behind inflation in 2 years?
At the moment inflation is set at 2.7%
Silly question
Back to the back foot
Tradespeople like builder, plumbers, electricians, bricklayers can not go on strike. They compete for business each day of the week. They take on risk, they pay liability insurance. They investe in tools, consumables and pay for thier own expenses and are never paid holidays . They are legislated to hell and back. Their bodies are worn out 15 years before retirement and live shorter lives. Do not collect anywhere near as much pension because they die early.
Teachers are government employees. They have guaranteed jobs. Paid leave including sick pay. They have school holidays off too. Set lunch breaks.
If it is equality and equal pay teachers seek, let them be contractors rather than employees. Let them be dismissed if there efforts are ineffective, if thier students fail. Let them pay their own tax. Let them be paid more if thier students pass. Less or nothing if their students fail.
This is not an attack on teachers. It is however a comparison as to why they are paid less in thier safe environment without risk, worn out bodies and early death.
Looking forward to hear the teachers moan and howl about this comment.
Come on you slags, get typing and justify your claims for equal pay.
Great comment. I run my own business too. If I get sick I don’t get paid. Last year and the year before that and the year before that I took zero sick days. That’s not to say I wasn’t sick but taking the day off isn’t an option for me. I don’t go to bed each night with my blankie knowing that my work for the next week/month/year is guaranteed. If I do a bad job I no longer have a job. I think teachers have a tough job but no tougher than many of us and when you chuck in all the benefits (hols, breaks, coddled environment) it’s pretty good comparatively. As someone with teenagers I’m getting more and more pissed off with these strikes. I feel they use the “think of the children” narrative to squeeze more out of the system than the rest of us can. Sucks in my book. If they really cared they wouldn’t sabotage the progress of our children for their own benefit. Over it. Get back to work teachers and be grateful for your comparatively cushy jobs. Most don’t have it so easy.