Media release: University and polytechnic staff to go on strike.

Around 9,500 Tertiary Education Union (TEU) members currently in collective agreement bargaining have voted to take strike action in October. Members are seeking better pay offers and improvements to their terms and conditions.

Members who work in academic and professional roles across polytechnics and universities voted in strike ballots this week, the last of which closed today.

Amy Ross, National Secretary of TEU says this is the first time members in polytechnics and universities have called for strike action together.

"People who work in universities and polytechnics need pay and conditions that support them to do their best work. These are the people who research and teach and run lectures, tutorials, workshops, libraries and offices - the people who the prestige and reputation of our tertiary institutions rest on.

"Across universities staff are being offered pay rises that don’t keep up with the cost of living. Employers are not taking the action required to make jobs sustainable, especially security of employment. You cannot build excellent teaching and research on insecure, overstretched staff."

Amy Ross says that the glacial movement and participation in bargaining from polytech employers has left polytech members feeling fed up, especially after years of disruption.

"We have been attempting to engage in collective bargaining with polytechs since February, most of the employers are dragging out the process by not agreeing to continue to be a part of a multi-employer collective agreement (MECA). Many of these employers are refusing to discuss pay. Our members are extremely frustrated with their polytech employers."

Amy Ross says that while it's up to the tertiary employers to better their offers and to move along in bargaining, the TEU were also calling on all political parties to commit to a comprehensive long term investment plan for the Tertiary sector.

"If you invest in tertiary education you're investing in the next generation of doctors, nurses, builders, electricians and teachers. Aotearoa ranks below the average of similar countries on investment in tertiary education - that's not good enough. When we underfund and undervalue the people who deliver education all of us pay the price. We expect politicial parties to show meaningful leadership and commit to improved funding for the whole sector, for the future of our country. "

Strikes across the tertiary sector may include half day or full day strikes, withholding of students grades or new enrolments.

Note to editors:

University members who have voted to strike work at:

Ōtākou Whakaihu Waka | University of Otago, Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha | University of Canterbury, Te Herenga Waka | Victoria University of Wellington, Te Kunenga ki Pūrehuroa | Massey University, Te Whare Wānanga o Waikato | University of Waikato and Waipapa Taumata Rau | University of Auckland. These university members began negotiations in July.

Polytech members who have voted to strike work at:

NZIST (includes Northtec, WITT, Weltec, Whitireia and Tai Poutini); MIT/Unitec; Wintec; Toi Ohomai; Eastern Institute of Technology; UCOL; Open Polytechnic; Nelson Marlborough Institute of Technology; Ara; Otago Polytechnic; Southern Institute of Technology.

ENDS