33 Comments
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Melanie99's avatar

Wow, the government is really going full DARVO (Deny, attack, and reverse victim and offender) on the unions. I wonder if some nasty public relations company with high profile clients is coaching them?

Robin Capper's avatar

Or are just natural born abusers...

Patricia Kay's avatar

We are a teaching family, and we totally agree with the comments stated. Teachers work incredibly long hours, work in complex environments with many diverse needs often using their own money for resources and travel,do not take leave often for sickness and give up evenings and weekends to take sport or extra curricular activities. Teachers are on the go doing duty during breaks, coaching or supporting learners. They go home to face marking and planning. The miserable pay offer is insulting and demeaning given the invaluable service and job expectations of delivering a world class education system fit for the 21st Century.

Mac Stevenson's avatar

Having been involved in pay negotiations for the primary sector over 30 years ago it is disgraceful that teachers are still seeking the same supports that were needed then. It’s always about more than the money because of the all encompassing nature of the teaching day. Somewhat ironic that the education system rated as one of, if not the best, in the world Finland treats its teachers as professionals and rewards them appropriately. Right leaning govts in Aotearoa have never seen the need or made the link.

Jacqui Duncan's avatar

More misinformation from this Government and empty words regarding valuing education. from my perspective announcements around changes to curriculum delivery and teaching methods have by passed consultation and analysis from education experts. Disappointing on all counts.

Keith Simes's avatar

Thanks for the comparison with MP’s pay - way back in the day when I started teaching, teachers salaries were almost the same as MPs - what went wrong with our collective values?

Heather Thompson's avatar

MPs managed to link their pay to higher salaries commission so it is no longer negotiated or contested. There has been some change in society's view and valuing of teachers but mainly because there are a large number of teachers the cost of raising salaries is high so harder to negotiate increases.

Keith Simes's avatar

Good points, ngā mihi

Alma Rae's avatar

In my many years on the national executive of the Resident Doctors’ Association I made the same observation of the media’s apparent inability to report anything other than the pay issue. Always, always, we were pressing for conditions in which we could be safe and effective, just as teachers are having to do now. Stanford and Collins’ arrogance and lies are outrageous.

Mike Friend's avatar

I finished a teaching career of 40 years, 7 years ago as a head of department on 2 management units. My salary was $87K. Where on earth Collins gets her figures from are about as mysterious as Nicky Noboats grasp of our economy

Mark Dixon's avatar

1% is an outrageous and insulting offer. The government's position of attacking teachers / nurses for "harming" children / patients is infuriating in its deceit.

John Walker's avatar

In an ideal world we would pay people according to their value to society. Then teachers, nurses and indeed the garbage collector would be at the top of the heap. Pollies lawyers accountants insurance and real estate at the bottom. I'll leave you guys to fill in the middle

Jeremy Coleman's avatar

There is no middle, John. Remember Luxo and Willis squeezed them out. There’s now only wealthy and sorted or bottom feeders.

John Walker's avatar

Zackly Jerome.

We are becoming a classic example of a third world country, as I have observed in Pakistan and Bangladesh. A relatively small bunch of super wealthy 'sorteds' and a great mass of peasantry, living on subsistence wages.

Alannah Batger's avatar

Teachers need more support and PD to manage children and parents behaviour so they can focus on teaching

Judith Paulin's avatar

I truly support all of the above! As a primary school teacher for 35 years, I have been a fool to see conditions deteriorate and pay disappear over the period. Good luck to all you protesters!

Prof. Gavin Brown's avatar

I took a pay cut to leave teaching in the mid1990s. Never been happier or healthier.

Janet Peters's avatar

Great summary of the issues!

Pauline Arnold's avatar

If their following the USA then we're in big trouble they always under valued education over there I think they like to dumb down society so that we are more easily manipulated could be this governments agenda.

Darien Fenton's avatar

Thanks Nick. As you would expect I am on the side of teachers. A bit worried about Judith Collin's interference- apologising for getting the figures wrong, but she has an evil plan to make it harder for teachers and nurses to (and other public sector workers) to strike. Believe me, she is plotting.

Heather Thompson's avatar

I certainly believe you. For the teachers in know they are finding the current environment very toxic. One of the great things about teaching has been having some autonomy to respond to students in an intuitive way. This is being eroded by the narrowing of what will be taught. Teachers have also had a strong collective spirit. The erosion that could be the last straw for many.