There are many reasons why teachers' collective agreements upset some. For many, it’s because great teachers are paid exactly the same as average teachers. Photo \ Getty Images

Andrew Dickens: Not all teachers are created equal

Author: Andrew Dickens,
Publish Date: Wed, 15 Aug 2018, 12:10PM

So the primary school teachers are striking for the first time in 24 years and the fourth time ever.

I remember the last strikes in 94. It was all about pay parity with secondary teachers. But this action is very rare and you have to ask yourself, why teachers haven’t been standing up for themselves more through the years? Some will say the public service is taking advantage of the kinder gentler Labour-led Government which may be the case but it’s also right to say that teachers have been complicit in their own fate by being too quiet for too long.

They say their main motivation is to cure the teachers' shortage, and it’s not about the money. But it is about the money because they’re asking for 16 per cent over 2 years which is frankly pretty whopping. So you can see the government’s hesitation and add to that the secondary school teachers who will be watching and plotting their move in the future.

But we will see if teachers are prepared to move.

But one part of their demands is a no-brainer. They want a $100 housing allowance for people in high rent or cost towns and cities.

There are many reasons why teachers' collective agreements upset some. For many, it’s because great teachers are paid exactly the same as average teachers.

But to me, the fact that you get paid the same no matter if you work in Waiuku, Wanganui, Winton or Wellington is bizarre. For instance, there’s a lovely 3 bedroom house in Winton for sale right now on 1000 square meters for $315,000. Try finding that in Wellington. Try finding a rental in Wellington. But the Wellington teacher gets the same money as the Winton teacher.

I knew a teacher in Auckland who moved to Napier 10 years ago. She’s rapturously happy. Nice town, great house, same pay. She said moving to Napier was like doubling her salary. Best thing she ever did.

So newsflash to union negotiators who believe in collective agreements. Not all teachers are created equal and not all towns and cities are the same. It’s called reality.

The sooner you get some wriggle room to cater for ability and living circumstance the better and that alone would go a long way towards keeping and attracting teachers.