Taranaki Daily News – Witt staff signal further action over pay deal

17 Sept – Witt local TEU representative Rod Fearn said he hoped the strikes showed negotiators how committed the union was to its belief the contract was unfair and the central government intervention had been appalling.

Radio NZ – Second day of polytech strikes

17 Sept – Tertiary Education Union delegate Eric Stone, a staff member at Whangarei’s North Tech, says the staff are angry at the offer employers have made. He says the striking staff would be willing to continue negotiations, but the employers need to make a better offer.

Waikato Times – Picket lines forming in Waikato

17 Sept – Council of Trade Unions president Helen Kelly said the timing of the actions was partly coincidence because of some agreements expiring at the same time but also down to “unrealistic bosses” and a cost-cutting tone set by the Government.

Nelson Mail – Strike action likely at NMIT

Tertiary Education Union (TEU) members voted earlier this week to take industrial action after their claim for a 2.6 per cent pay increase was rejected by NMIT. NMIT has instead made the lowest pay offer of seven polytechnics in pay disputes around the country.

NZ Herald – Polytech strikes disrupt classes

17 Sept – “Enrolments are up and these tutors and lecturers are crucial in the current economic environment, giving job skills to people who need them.”

Radio NZ – Morning Report – Further industrial action underway at polytechs

17 Sept – Further industrial action has kicked off today in support of pay claims by more than 900 staff at six North Island polytechs. (duration: 2â²34â³)
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Bay of Plenty Times – Polytech staff campaign for pay

16 Sept – Bay of Plenty Polytechnic tutors stepped out of their comfort zones today and took their argument with employers to the public stage.At least 30 members of the Tertiary Education Union (TEU) set up a picket at the Windermere roundabout this morning, a short distance from their workplace.

TVNZ – Over 900 polytech staff strike

16 Sept – Students at six North Island polytechs had their studies disrupted on Wednesday as staff from six North Island Polytechnics go on strike. Over 900 staff are protesting proposed changes which would see their teaching days increase from 184 to 204 a year.

Newstalk ZB – Polytechnic strike disappointing

16 Sept – They have rejected a proposal by their employers to increase teaching days from 185 to 204 a year, with only a 1 per cent pay increase.

Radio NZ Checkpoint – Polytech strike disrupts classes for thousands

16 Sept – Thousands of tertiary students had their classes disrupted today by 24-hour strike action by tutors. (duration: 2â²46â³)

Radio NZ – Polytechnic staff on strike

16 Sept- Thousands of tertiary students around the North Island have had classes cancelled as staff from six polytechnics take 24-hour strike action. The Tertiary Education Union says staff voted last week for a day-long strike if employers failed to come up with an improved offer as part of pay negotiations that began six months ago.

Taranaki Daily News – Polytechnic staff strike over stalled wage deal

16 Sept – WITT academic staff take to the streets today, one of six polytechnics nationwide striking over a stalled pay deal… The TEU announced yesterday the employers, including Witt, had “completely failed to respond in any kind of meaningful way”, simply restating the original contract which included a 1 per cent salary increase over 2 1/2 years, an increase in teaching days from 185 per year to 204 and a loss of four weeks’ discretionary leave.

NZPA – Polytech staff vote to take industrial action

11 Sept -Tertiary Education Union (TEU) members at six polytechnics have voted overwhelmingly in favour of taking industrial action over pay and conditions…

Radio NZ – Polytechnic staff to strike over pay

11 Sept -National industrial officer Irena Brorens says the TEU has written to the polytechnics with a counter offer. However, members are prepared to strike if the negotiations are not settled by Monday…

Waikato Times – Strike fears at polytech

11 Sept -The Tertiary Education Union is balking at a multi-employer collective agreement which asks that teaching days be expanded by 10 per cent, from 185 to 204…

Taranaki Daily News – Polytech staff put bosses on deadline in contract dispute

11 Sept – Witt council chairwoman Mary Bourke said she was not prepared to comment about the situation. “It’s an issue between Richard and his staff.” Miss Bourke said there was an expectation, which was not coming from the polytech sector, that there would be no pay increases. “Fundamentally, our hands as an employer are sort of tied,” she said.