New Zealand schools hit by ‘mega-strike’ as 50,000 teachers walk out

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/may/29/new-zealand-schools-hit-by-mega-strike-as-50000-teachers-walk-out?CMP=Share_AndroidApp_Gmail

New Zealand schools hit by ‘mega-strike’ as 50,000 teachers walk out

‘Overwhelmed’ staff are demanding more pay, more respect and better conditions

Thousands of teachers, parents and schoolchildren march up Queen Street as they protest in Auckland, New Zealand.
 Thousands of teachers, parents and schoolchildren march up Queen Street as they protest in Auckland, New Zealand. Photograph: Phil Walter/Getty Images

More than 50,000 primary and high school teachers have gone on strike in the biggest industrial action ever seen in New Zealand’s schools.

Since a Labour coalition government took power in late 2017, teachers have held three strikes calling for pay rises, better working conditions and more respect for their profession.

But Wednesday’s one-day strike is the first time primary and high school teachers have united in action, dubbing Wednesday’s protest a “mega-strike”.

The protesters have so far turned down three pay rise offers from the government of 3%, and say they want 15% or more to continue their work. But the government says it has no more money to give.

Khali Oliveira, a primary teacher at Gladstone primary in Auckland, said the strike was a last resort. Oliveira has been a teacher for more than 20 years and said burnout was becoming common-place. If the teachers’ demands were not met she would be forced to quit and work in the private sector.

Thousands protest against teacher pay and conditions in New Zealand.
 Thousands protest against teacher pay and conditions in New Zealand. Photograph: Phil Walter/Getty Images

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/may/29/new-zealand-schools-hit-by-mega-strike-as-50000-teachers-walk-out?CMP=Share_AndroidApp_Gmail