Listen Now: 
Kindergarten teachers are joining primary and secondary colleagues in this Thursday’s strike.
Their union NZEI Te Riu Roa says kindergarten teachers resoundingly rejected an offer from the Education Ministry because it did not address claims for additional sick leave, the removal of the pay cap for relief teachers and pay recognition of kaiako Māori and head and senior teachers.
Teachers say Covid-19 isolations and an increase in seasonal illness means sick leave is being used up quickly and they are forced to take unpaid leave.
Kawerau kindergarten teacher Reweti Elliot says work expectations on kaiako Māori have increased, without any recognition.
She says what kaiako do in kindergartens is equal to what any other kaiako Māori I primary schools do, and they should be paid the same.
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