TEU’s message delivered at Parliament.
Nov. 10, 2022
Hau Taki Haere | Tertiary Update Vol 26, No 20
A strong delegation of Te Hautū Kahurangi | Tertiary Education Union members from NorthTec to SIT and every public tertiary institution in between assembled in the grounds of Parliament on Tuesday and delivered a strong message to the government – we will not be brushed aside.
An open letter on university pay addressed to Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, and a petition on Te Pūkenga funding were both accepted on behalf of the government by Labour MP Deborah Russell.
In a speech to those assembled, Dr Russell said while she can’t promise anything, she is very happy to advocate for our sector inside the government. Green MP Chlöe Swarbrick also spoke about the importance of tertiary education and pledged to continue her strong advocacy for TEU members.
Several TEU members from both Te Pūkenga and the university sector also spoke to the crowd.
Incoming Tumu Whakarae | National President Dr Julie Douglas addressed the government and university leadership’s reluctance to convene a tripartite process to discuss funding. “We’ve had a tripartite process in the past and the world didn’t end. In fact, it delivered a positive outcome – everybody won. I can see no practical reason to not even attempt a discussion.”
Cynthia Martell-Stark, a senior academic at Toi Ohomai, said “at a time when businesses are screaming out for skilled workers, how can the government not fund our sector adequately? If they continue to sit on their hands our communities, our students and our businesses will suffer.”
Following the event, Chlöe Swarbrick asked Chris Hipkins a series of questions in The House of Representatives on the TEU’s behalf. The minister declined to meaningfully engage.
Also in this update:
- Strike ballot underway at Unitec
- Rules a focus at branch presidents’ hui
- Pay equity update
- Fee waiver for low wage workers extended and enhanced
Other Stories:
AUT's figures to justify 250 redundancies 'just don't add up', staff say – Stuff
Riley Chance says a low-cost education system that ignores educational quality, reliant on hustling international students is nothing short of ludicrous – Interest.co.nz
Chlöe Swarbrick: Tertiary education staff are building our future – NZ Herald
University staff rally at Parliament over proposed cuts – RNZ