Kia ora,

Just a quick email to let you know we have been advised that the Ministry of Education will not present us with a full offer this week to settle the Area School Teachers’ Collective Agreement.

Following our strong rejection of the first offer, we had expected a second offer would be made this week based on previous discussions with the Ministry.

This delay is frustrating news for all of us.

We are ready to resume negotiations as soon as possible in the new year and will keep you updated on any new developments on this issue.  

We remain committed to holding combined paid union meetings with primary school and kindergarten teachers the week beginning 27 February 2023 to vote on the anticipated offer.

Holding meetings in late February will give us time to consider the offer collectively. It will also enable us to build parent and whānau understanding and support around the issues of class size and learning support that we urgently need the Government to address.

We will keep you updated on the progress of the offer.

In the meantime, we hope you have a good break over the holidays and that you come back next year refreshed, recharged, and ready to get involved.

Ngā mihi nui,

Kaareen Hotereni and Lagi Leilua
On behalf of the ASTCA negotiating team