Templates
- Template 1 Delegation
- Template 2 Notice to Staff
- Ministry of Education Template Appendix C: Sample letter to parents and caregivers if a board chooses to make a strike closure
- Ministry of Education Template Appendix D: Sample letter to parents and caregivers if a board requests parents to keep students affected by strike at home when school remains open for instruction
Template 1 Delegation
We suggest the following resolution for boards:
"Pursuant to s66 of the Education Act 1989 [the Principal/other - not covered by the (which collective applies to those taking strike action) collective agreement] is delegated the authority to compile an accurate list of those staff who are:
a) undertaking normal duties during any strike action
b) who are taking strike action or otherwise absent during that period
The list compiled under b) must include the reason for the absence.
Further [………..) is delegated to ensure that any other requirements of reporting and record keeping are maintained.
These delegations to remain in place until the current ________________________ Collective Agreement negotiations are completed and signed off. "
Please note
Where the Board delegates to someone other than the Principal, it must be to someone who is not covered by the relevant collective agreement - this will be referenced in the forms supplied by payroll.
Template 2 Notice to Staff
We suggest the following notice be provided to all staff, with a separate one advising those staff not affected by the strike of what is occurring. Please make sure you delete the appropriate bits.
Date
Note to staff
We have been notified by the union that strike action will occur on X Date.
In accordance with the advice received from the Secretary for Education (delegated by the State Services Commissioner) during the strike the board will:
- require all those employees to perform their regular duties (including teaching time tabled classes);
- not accept employees performing duties of their own choice;
- treat those employees who fail to perform their regular duties as being on strike;
Employees not intending to strike are required to attend the workplace as usual.
Only employees who perform their regular duties are noted as not participating in the strike on the list that will be sent to the Ministry
Signed on behalf of the board
Date
Note to staff not identified as taking strike action
We have been notified by _______ union that strike action will occur on x Date.
The board has determined that the school will / will not remain open for instruction. Non striking staff are required /not required to attend the workplace as usual.
Signed on behalf of the board
Ministry of Education Template Appendix C: Sample letter to parents and caregivers if a board chooses to make a strike closure
Dear
The [X union] has advised the [Y] Board of Trustees that teachers at our school will be taking strike action on ……………………...for the period from [date] to [date] (inclusive of those days).
After careful consideration, the Board has decided that, due to the unavailability of staff, it would be impracticable for the school to remain open for instruction during the period of the proposed strike.
Accordingly, the school will be closed for instruction during the strike. In these circumstances, it would assist the Board if students are able to remain at home, or if you are able to make alternative arrangements for care. Otherwise, the school will provide supervision for any students who do attend school during the strike [delete last sentence if no supervision provided].
I appreciate that this may be an inconvenience for parents and students alike. Please be assured that student safety is our main concern.
Thank you for your assistance. Please contact [name] if you have any queries relating to the Board's decision.
Yours sincerely
Ministry of Education Template Appendix D: Sample letter to parents and caregivers if a board requests parents to keep students affected by strike at home when school remains open for instruction
Dear
The [X union] has advised the [Y] Board of Trustees that teachers at our school will be taking strike action on ……………………...for the period from [date] to [date] (inclusive of those days). The strike will affect all Year students.
After careful consideration, the Board has decided that, due to the unavailability of staff, it would be impracticable for all year [x] students to attend school for instruction during the period of the proposed strike.
In these circumstances, it would assist the Board if the students concerned are able to remain at home, or if you are able to make alternative arrangements for care. Otherwise, the school will provide supervision for any students who do attend school during the strike.
I appreciate that this may be an inconvenience for parents and students alike. Please be assured that student safety is our main concern.
Thank you for your assistance. Please contact [name] if you have any queries relating to the Board's decision.
Yours sincerely