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"
Poll: Should the government levy industries that contribute to financial hardship?
As reported in the Post, there’s a $30 million funding gap in financial mentoring. This has led to services closing and mentors stepping in unpaid just to keep helping people in need 🪙💰🪙
One proposed solution? Small levies on industries that profit from financial hardship — like banks, casinos, and similar companies.
So we want to hear what you think:
Should the government ask these industries to contribute?
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59.8% Yes, supporting people is important!
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25.9% No, individuals should take responsibility
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14.4% ... It is complicated
A Neighbourly Riddle! Don’t Overthink It… Or Do?😜
Do you think you know the answer? Simply 'Like' this post if you know the answer and the big reveal will be posted in the comments at 2pm on the day!
If you multiply this number by any other number, the answer will always be the same. What number is this?
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