Union says teachers may be locked out

Secondary teachers could face day-long lockouts, their union president warns.

The Post Primary Teachers' Association (PPTA) plans action on eight days next term after last month withdrawing from pay and contract negotiations with the Ministry of Education.

Association president Kate Gainsford has warned members the Government may respond by locking teachers out for the day or docking pay for the period not worked.

"This would be an incendiary act on the part of the Government, but also fairly typical of its responses so far," she told the union's annual conference in Wellington yesterday.

If lockouts occurred, teachers would strike for the day, she said.

Education Minister Anne Tolley dismissed Gainsford's comments. "This is scaremongering and has never been discussed."

Speaking at the conference, Tolley urged the association to return to the bargaining table because the Government was "committed to negotiating a settlement".

"We, like you, and like parents and students up and down the country, want to end the disruption so that our schools can get on with the business of educating our children," she said.

"I am confident that can happen and that the best interests of your members and of New Zealand as a whole will be served if your union and the Government's negotiators put our heads together and talk these issues through."

Next term's strike action follows a day-long strike a fortnight ago. Canterbury teachers were exempt from the action because of the earthquake.

PPTA general secretary Kevin Bunker said the region's teachers were included in all future action, although there could be some exceptions in quake-hit schools.

"But I think you'll find Canterbury members are quite determined to fight for their students," he said.

Union members want a 4 per cent pay rise, while the Government is offering 1.5 per cent, plus another 1 per cent in a year.

Members are also seeking a raft of condition changes, including class-size caps, more professional development, an extra 1 per cent KiwiSaver employer contribution, laptops and immunisation against contagious diseases.

The Government has offered more sabbaticals, allowances, non-contact hours and relief-teacher days.

- © Fairfax NZ News