Sepik teachers plan strike if pay is cut

Momase, Normal
Source:

The National, Tuesday 28th March 2013

 By ROSELYN ELLISON

TEACHERS in East Sepik have resolved to go on strike if their pay is cut from next month because of the late submission of resumption of duty sheets.

The teachers who met at St Mary’s Primary School in Wewak are waiting for the next pay period on April 3 to check if the pay is cut.

East and West Sepik Teacher’s Association branch secretary Michael Aimos said the education department penalised teachers by docking their pay for late arrival to work during the resumption of the school term.

The department would get the details of the late arrivals on the “resumption of duty summary sheets” filled by teachers when they start teaching duties.

Aimos said the East Sepik branch of the PNG Teacher’s Association supported their national general secretary in asking the Education department in deferring auto pay suspension until the beginning of term two of school throughout the processes of disciplinary charges as honourable approach.

“Auto suspension of pay as a penalty is not stipulated in the TSC sections and needs to be challenged,” he said.

He added that it was evident that the provincial education division personnel were also contributing to the late resumption of duties for teachers when they did not get their acts in order for the smooth operation of the system.

Aimos also said that teachers coming late from recreation leave because their leave fares tickets were not issued on time.

Meanwhile, the education office in Wewak said that payroll related services were not governed by the Teaching Services Act but a section that catered for teachers’ salaries.