Radio New Zealand staff stop work

Staff at Radio New Zealand are stopping work this afternoon to consider their response to a breakdown in their pay talks.

The Public Service Association (PSA) represents many RNZ staff, including journalists, librarians, technicians, administration and clerical workers. Together with the Engineering, Printing and Manufacturing Union, the PSA has been seeking to negotiate a new collective employment agreement for the last 3 months.

PSA Assistant Secretary Jeff Osborne said members want a fair pay offer which reflects the work they have done in recent years to build Radio New Zealand’s audience.

“Radio New Zealand has offered our members a 3 per cent one year agreement. This is not acceptable to our members.

“We are seeking a 5 per cent pay rise and a one week increase to annual leave entitlement. This is in line with other recent settlements in the public sector.

“RNZ salaries do not compare well with other public and commercial broadcasters. While there have been pay increases in the last two years, this followed a decade of cutbacks and minimal wage movement which still sees pay rates lagging behind those for other broadcasting colleagues

“Our member want to see this dispute resolved speedily. They feel a great responsibility to provide high quality and impartial coverage during the general election campaign and this would be severely compromised if it becomes necessary to undertake industrial action,” Jeff Osborne said.

ENDS

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