THE National Teachers Union (NATU) has vowed not to rest until all Grade R educators are given the recognition they deserve in terms monetary compensation.
This was the opinion of NATU’s Lower Umfolozi Branch Chairperson Cynthia Barnes, speaking at the teacher union’s meeting at the Empangeni Civic Centre last week.
‘It can’t be business as usual when our Grade R educators are underpaid. What angers us most is that this affects only KZN educators. In other provinces Grade R educators are paid decent salaries,’ said Barnes.
‘What can you do with R4 500 per month, considering the kind of work these educators do? They receive no fringe benefits such as medical aid and housing subsidies. ‘We have noted the R500 increase they received from the KZN Department of Education, but this does little to address their plight.’
Barnes accused the department of negotiating in bad faith. ‘It came as a shock to us to learn of the R500 increase while we were still negotiating with them for decent salaries.
‘We see this as an act of undermining us and this has the potential to sour our relations,’ she said.
Barnes also urged NATU members who are regarded as surplus in their schools to remain there for a period of three years.
‘We appeal to all of you not to move from one school to another. No teacher should be moved by the Department of Education. If it happens that you are being threatened at your school, let us know, we will fight for you.’
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