Teacher Aide negotiations
It is our week to push the government to recognise the valuable work we do in schools to support students - this an email written by my sister and I wanted to share it with you to perhaps encourage you to email Chris Hipkins and Jacinda Ardern on our behalf - Help us to have our voices heard.
"My sister is a teacher aide. She earns less that the living wage at $18.81 and is only paid during the school term. Every year she is unsure if she will have a job the next year, she is made redundant every Christmas and rehired in the new year if she is lucky. She could get better working conditions working at Kmart or a supermarket – instead she chooses to help other peoples children because in her ‘spare’ time, she has a special needs son herself. She chose this job because she wanted to make a difference – to help children and their families because she understands the hardship.
You support helping these children and allowing them an education with their peers and yet you wont even pay the living wage to the very very special people who put their hand up to work with them. It is nothing short of appalling. Teachers have so many children in their classrooms, they rely on their teacher aides to get their class through the day. For less than living wage she has to
• Clean up their mess, including bodily functions
• Learn how to deal with aggressive children
• Restrain them when they are self-harming without hurting them
• Teach them values
• Help the teachers educate them
• Encourage them to be their best
• Be happy and strong no matter what the personal situation
• Not be able to take time off work as these children go into melt-down mode without their supporters
• Be the person they trust with their world day in and day out
• Give herself to these children every day
• MAKE A DIFFERENCE
Most people could NOT do this work, even the teachers cannot teach and deal with these issues at the same time. The schools could not function without them and yet – not even living wage.
As was recently quoted so well – SHAME ON YOU"
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What workplace change would you like to see most?
This coming Monday is Labour Day in New Zealand. This public holiday marks when the eight-hour workday and 48-hour workweek became law in 1899. The idea started with Samuel Parnell, a carpenter in Wellington, who in 1840 refused to work more than eight hours a day. Since skilled workers were in short supply, his employer had to agree.
As more skilled workers arrived, employers tried to change working conditions, but Parnell and others kept pushing for better rights. In 1890, Parnell led a Labour Day parade of 1,500 people to promote the eight-hour day. He passed away shortly after, and nine years later, Labour Day became an official public holiday.
Do you feel that we have reached the ideal in working environments yet? What rights are you passionate about relating to employment? Share your thoughts!
What's your favourite recipe for gooseberry?
Love gooseberries? Share your favourite way to enjoy them. We're looking for our readers' favourite family recipes for this delicious crop. Send yours to mailbox@nzgardener.co.nz, and if we use it in the magazine, you will receive a free copy of our December 2024 issue.
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