Post Primary Teachers Association Te Wehengarua Otago region chairwoman Amanda Ellwood said the industrial action teachers were taking part in was "rostering home" and it counted as a partial strike, which due to a 2018 law change did not incur a pay penalty.
Ms Ellwood said teachers earlier this year did take part in three whole day strikes which did mean a loss of pay.
However, after rejecting of a third offer from the Ministry of Education, the current of industrial action that started on June 12 and was scheduled to end on June 30 was rostering home.
It was possible a pupil could miss seven days of school in June if the action continued until the end of term, Ms Ellwood said.
"We attempted to use means which did not impact on the teaching and learning of our students for months before we resorted to rostering home.
"This seems to be, now and historically, the only option which the Government takes notice of."
Ms Ellwood said the Government gave the PPTA a "phony offer" in March and if the Government was genuine, then the dispute could have been resolved then.
It comes amid some hope an agreement can be reached after the union and the Ministry of Education announced yesterday they were entering independent arbitration as recommended by the Employment Relations Authority.
Education Minister Jan Tinetti did not answer the Otago Daily Times questions about teachers being paid their full salaries during this month’s strike action.
Instead, she said she shared the frustration of parents and young people about the learning they were missing out on due to the ongoing teacher strikes and welcomed entering arbitration.
"I will receive advice from the Ministry of Education on the outcome of arbitration and take that to Cabinet for serious consideration.
"The Ministry of Education will now work with the PPTA on developing the terms of reference (ToR) for the arbitration."
PPTA acting president Chris Abercrombie said the union believed arbitration was the best step towards a resolution for this dispute as long as the Government would publicly commit to its outcome.
"The sooner teachers can return to a settled environment and concentrate on teaching and learning, the better for everyone.
"However, we do not see much point in going down this path unless there is a commitment from both parties to the arbitrator’s decision."
Mr Abercrombie said the industrial action would continue until an arbitration ToR agreement was developed and approved by the national executive.
This process would involve selection of the panel, setting a timeframe, agreeing what will be covered in the arbitration and a commitment to the outcome.
"We are ready to meet with the Ministry of Education as soon as possible — hopefully today [June 20] to develop a ToR agreement.
"Once the ToR agreement is approved by the executive all industrial action in support of the secondary and area school teachers’ negotiations will be called off."
