Primary school teachers are voting on whether to go on strike after rejecting the Government’s latest collective agreement offer.

Members of the teacher’s union, NZEI Te Riu Roa, rejected the second offer of 2.7 to 4.1 percent over two years, up from the Government’s initial offer of 3 percent over three years.

Meanwhile, the Post Primary Teachers’ Association has recommended secondary teachers – who are voting this week – reject an improved pay offer.

Teachers who are members of the union are expected to halt teaching different year levels of students on different days from Monday next week.

NZEI said the latest pay offer for primary teachers failed to meet cost of living pressures or deliver the support they and their students need.  

“Government came back with a new offer for teachers that still doesn’t match inflation,” said Liam Rutherford, a teacher and NZEI Te Riu Roa primary teacher negotiation lead.

Inflation sits at 2.7 percent.  

The union is in negotiations with the Public Service Commission over pay rises, and its commissioner, Sir Brian Roche, said the offer was strong and fair, and addressed cost-of-living pressures.

“This is what we understood teachers were seeking,” Sir Brian said.

“We’ve stretched our fiscal mandate to the limit. It’s the best offer we can make while remaining responsible with taxpayers’ money.

“Teachers need to think hard about whether continued strike action is in anyone’s best interest, particularly with a very fair offer on the table.”

However, Mr Rutherford said teachers also needed increased support in the classroom as the number of children with additional needs rose.

“If we want the best for children, we need to attract and retain great teachers, and right now, we’re seeing teachers burn out, leave for Australia or move to work in other professions,” said Mr Rutherford.

Sir Brian said the offer was part of a broader $2.5 billion investment over four years in education.

“This will go into learning support for teachers – with over 2 million additional teacher aide hours per year being rolled out by 2028.

“Plus, it will fund expanded services, and new learning support satellite classrooms.

“This is something teachers have long called for to support both classroom environments and student outcomes.”

According to NZEI, the pay element of the offer rejected was:

Teachers on steps 1-8 of the pay scale get flat rate increases of $1300 this year and $1200 in the new year, working out at increases of between 2.7 percent and 4.1 percent over two years.

Teachers on step 9 and 10 of the pay scale receive a 2.5 percent pay increase this year and 2.1 percent next year.

The Public Service Commission says the average salary for primary school teachers increased from around $85,000 three years ago to over $94,000 now, with approximately 57 percent of full-time primary teachers now earning between $90,000 and $110,000, with 16 percent earning over $110,000.