About 30,000 Teachers In New Zealand On Strike Demanding Pay Rise - Trade Union

As many as 29,000 primary and intermediate school teachers in New Zealand took part in a nationwide strike on Wednesday for the first time in more than 20 years to demand a pay rise, according to the NZEI trade union

MOSCOW (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 15th August, 2018) As many as 29,000 Primary and intermediate school teachers in New Zealand took part in a nationwide strike on Wednesday for the first time in more than 20 years to demand a pay rise, according to the NZEI trade union.

The strike was organized by the New Zealand Educational Institute (NZEI), the largest education trade union in the country.

"Today history was made as 29,000 teachers took to the street nationwide. Thousands turned out at rallies and marches across the country to support primary teachers and principals!" the trade union wrote on Facebook.

According to Radio New Zealand, the trade union insists on smaller class sizes and a 16-percent pay spike over two years for primary school teachers and special education coordinators, while the Education Ministry offers gradual increases between 14 percent for new teachers and six percent for their experienced colleagues.

During the rally, the striking teachers voiced readiness to go on a two-day strike if they did not receive a better offer from the ministry, the media outlet reported.

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern addressed the crowd after the rally, calling on the teachers to cooperate with the government on the issue and noting that meaningful change would take time.

New Zealand's teachers walked off the job for the first time since 1994.