Some Central youngsters get a sleep in tomorrow (Thursday November 24), as the NZ Education Institute (NZEI) Primary Teachers Union hold paid union meetings (PUM) in Central.

The meetings in Cromwell and Alexandra are an opportunity for teachers to review the latest offer from the government for their new contract agreements.

As many local primary school teachers are NZEI members, and PUMs occur during the school day, school hours have been affected. 

Some local schools including Clyde School, The Terrace School, and Alexandra Primary are starting later from 11am, or 11.30am, meaning families must make alternative arrangements for school age children.

Local school newsletters say the hui is important to continue to improve teachers’ working conditions, the learning conditions for students (including class sizes), and staffing provision for extra programmes in our primary schools.

In October delegates representing NZEI Te Riu Roa members endorsed nationwide meetings during term four to progress collective employment agreements.

NZEI’s PUMs have had 14,436 members register to attend across New Zealand with 209 events to be held (100 are still to come). Te Riu Roa’s recent Facebook group shows groups of teachers sending a message to the government that the offer “needs improvement”. 

Auckland’s Mt Roskill teachers illustrate their response to the government’s offer

The collective is made up of the 50,000 principals, teachers and support staff who work in primary, area and secondary schools as well as early childhood centres, special education and school advisory services. 

Find out more on the Cromwell hui here, and the Alexandra one here.  

Alexandra’s Community Centre and Memorial Theatre is the location for Alexandra's teachers hui at 9.30am (November 24)