30 May 2019 | 02:55 AM UTC
New Zealand: Teachers strike nationwide May 29
Over 50,000 teachers across New Zealand participated in a 24-hour strike on May 29, closing most schools; teachers vow to protest again if their demands are not met
Event
Around 50,000 primary and high school teachers participated in a nationwide 24-hour strike on Wednesday, May 29. Almost 60 percent of schools were reportedly closed and teachers carried out protest marches in cities across the country, including in Auckland. Union leaders have threatened to carry out further strikes if the government fails to meet their demands for salary increases and measures to reduce workloads. Negotiations between the unions and the government are reportedly deadlocked after months of talks. Additional strikes and protests by teachers are possible in the coming days and weeks; a heightened security presence and localized traffic disruptions are anticipated around all demonstrations.
Advice
Individuals in New Zealand are advised to keep abreast of the situation and avoid all demonstrations as a precaution.
