PUM Feedback

Well, I just got home after the PUM and am feeling a little peeved.

The general feeling seemed to be one of "well we better take this, it's the best we will get"

Even the idea of settling for a 4% wage rise over the term of 28 months makes me feel a little downtrodden.

Inflation is running at 5% at the moment.

Food prices have increased by 7% in the last quarter.

Petrol by 20.1%

Electricity 7.8%

GST went up to 15% in the December 2010 quarter.

Tomatoes cost 63%(!) more than they did last year.

Don't even start me up on how much cheese costs... I may cry.

How is a 1.5 percent increase in our wages going to offset this?

It isn't.

Isn't it time that we quit with this attitude of taking what is offered because it is being offered NOW?

Personally, I think I am worth more than 4.0 % over two and a half years.

The "Fair Deal" campaign is now called "Supporting Success"

How about a negotiation outcome that will allow me to support my family.

Stand tall. We are valuable members of our school staffs and deserve to be treated as such in negotiations.

Comment

Comment by John Ferguson on September 5, 2011 at 2:51pm: Agree totally with you Margaret my meeting was similar. I was not allowed to finish what I was saying and the tone was not good. To be told that the union higher ups were monitoring my blogs I think was an attempt to intimidate me, they obviously don't know me and I am not one to be bullied. Do wonder if as you say the ministry are more than happy to hear of the in fighting and the fact we accept an almost loss of a pay rise. If you are reading this and have not been to a PUM please read all the blogs there is good on them all. Don't roll over and lay down.

Comment by Margaret Stormont on September 5, 2011 at 12:57pm: After attending the PUM meeting this morning I left with the impression that most support staff will take the money as its better than nothing - if the negotiating team had to go back for another round with the ministry maybe they would start to realise that we are serious. Being told at the meeting the proposed forum will meet and discuss a framework for possible changes - so does that mean discussions will go on till mid 2013 and then nothing happen again, last time I think we had the Work Force Strategy (or something like that) as discussion re changes, I am sure the Ministry will be happy for us to keep agreeing to discussions and while we continue to accept low increases the MInistry will be happy that we are paid through the operations grant.

Comment by John Ferguson on August 30, 2011 at 8:32pm: And that would make us responsible for them losing money. Far from it I think it will go the other way and people will be discouraged from joining a sinking ship. Your support for the union is admirable but for me I think the end is nigh and I will take my chances on my own and spend my savings on other things. The arguments about losing hours is well dated. If you are needed for that long they will keep you on, if they cut your hours then they don't really need you do they. The management of this union has a lot to answer too.

Comment by Joanne Vaughan (Jo) on August 30, 2011 at 7:05pm: I understand you saying that a 4% pay increase does not meet the demands of rising living costs, BUT I look at it like this - As long as Support Staff are paid from the operationals grant then trying to negotiate an increase that is greater than the increase to the ops grant is not beneficial. I would be prefer to take an increase that the school is able to budget for, then to take a big pay increase and loose hours, or worse still to have less Support Staff on the pay roll.

I encourage all NZEI members to talk to non-members and ask them if they would like to join NZEI and to join the campaign for Support Staff. The stronger we are in numbers, the stronger is our voice.

Until Support Staff are paid by the ministry instead of being funded we have to look at what is a realistic pay increase.

Comment by Chic McConkey on August 30, 2011 at 5:12pm: you are valuable members .and your negotiating team are supoport staff working in schools just like you. Dont you think they are fighting long and hard many many hrs in wellington away from family and workplace to get the best they can for you all. They can only get what ministry will give. . Im on bones of my bum too and loose hrs but as Im paid slightly above step 8 grade B I wont get an increase . BUT im willinging to get out and campaign and I do . cause its not just about me . .Im out there for all support staff.

Comment by Dee Finlayson on August 30, 2011 at 4:23pm: I hear you Neil. What surprised me was the amount of people concerned with the now and not long term. They did not seem to understand that if they accept this proposal then it shows we are easy and will accept anything. Why are so many afraid to make a stand? Also was peeved that questions were not answered and when they were answered they were brushed over. Also when departed the venue the amount who had voted for the current offering who were mumbling how they felt bullied to accept it. I truly hope as the other meetings happen across the country that people speak up and vote against this. There was absolutely nothing new on the table from other negotiations in the past. Those that are unable to attend these meetings or who do attend need to speak up their feelings on these boards as apparently at the meeting today we were told those representing us will come in and read them. Great effort to those who were not afraid to speak up today. To those who have yet to attend their meetings , my advice to you is go in prepared and SPEAK UP.

Comment by John Ferguson on August 30, 2011 at 3:56pm: Neil, welcome to the band of people not afraid to speak their minds. I have over the last week tried to get something out of the leaders but there is nothing coming back. As always it has been sold to the people who either don't care or just don't understand. Until people who do understand can spread the word then those others will win hands down. Because they suggest that we accept the pay deal every body jumps to the peiper. I shall make my views known and hopefully educate people at my meeting. Keep spreading gthe word that its not a good deal and maybe just maybe someone may do something about it.