01 Jun 2019 | 11:41 PM UTC
New Zealand: Teachers announce new strikes June 4 – July 2 /update 1
Teachers’ union announce rostering and rolling regional strikes from June 4 through July 2; associated protests possible during the period
Event
The Post-Primary Teachers’ Association (PPTA) announced on Thursday, May 30, that it will launch a series of rostering and rolling regional strikes from Tuesday, June 4, through Tuesday, July 2. During the four-week rostering home period, teachers will opt not to teach a chosen year group (Year 9-12) on a Tuesday in June. The rolling 24-hour regional strikes will start on Monday, June 17, and end on Friday, June 21. A full scheduled of the work stoppages can be found on the PPTA website.
Associated protests are possible during the strike period, particularly in Auckland. Previous strikes have resulted in significant traffic disruptions. Heightened security measures are anticipated around all demonstrations.
Context
Around 50,000 teachers participated in a nationwide 24-hour strike on Wednesday, May 29, forcing almost 60 percent of schools to close. The teachers are demanding salary increases and measures to reduce workloads. Negotiations between the unions and the government have reportedly been deadlocked after months of talks.
Advice
Individuals in New Zealand are advised to keep abreast of the situation and avoid all demonstrations as a precaution.
