Delays updating teachers' pay to reflect their recently won pay rise has put unions' relationship with the Ministry of Education on thin ice once again.
An update from Novopay announced on Tuesday staff have to wait another month before their hard-fought backdated pay increase kicks in.
- Secondary school teachers union accepts the Government's latest pay offer
- Mega-strike: What happened when 55,000 teachers took to the streets
- Mega-strike: Parents support teachers striking, NZPTA says
The update says teachers' one-off $1500 payment will come through on the July 31 pay run, but the actual increase won't until September 11, eight weeks from now.
New Zealand Educational Institute (NZEI) spokesperson Paul Goulter told Newshub members feel defeated.
"This is just another blow in an already elongated dispute, to have the Ministry turn around at late notice and just say 'you're gonna have to wait' has just destroyed any trust that has been built up."
Minister Chris Hipkins said on Twitter it's not good enough, and he will be following up.
"A couple of teachers have sent messages asking why it takes so long to get their pay rises. It's the first time anyone has told me it could take this long and I'm not happy about it.
"I'll be following up first thing [Wednesday] morning. It's just not good enough."
Goulter said something needs to be done about it and the union is investigating their options.
"We've suggested that [secretary for education Iona Holsted] put extra resources into making it happen and we're also investigating what legal rights we can have to try and get it speeded up."
Whatever happens, Goulter said it's left teachers seriously upset.
"We've had a lot of calls from teachers really frustrated because they've gone a long time fighting for these increases and then the ministry's delayed them receiving the benefits of their actions."
Newshub.
