Radio New Zealand staff members belonging to the Public Service Association will strike from 4.00 pm today. Parties
engaged in mediation were making some progress when PSA representatives walked out at 1.30 pm this afternoon.
PSA delegates have advised that they are unavailable for twenty five hours from 4.00 pm.
Radio New Zealand deeply regrets the decision by Public Service Association members to initiate industrial action in
support of contract negotiations.
Radio New Zealand has conducted extensive research into standard terms and conditions of employment on offer in the New
Zealand broadcasting and wider media environment. Radio New Zealand salaries are generally consistent with those of
other employers in the industry. Other allowances and non monetary benefits offered by Radio New Zealand are often more
favourable.
Despite several difficult years when the organisation was being restructured, Radio New Zealand has maintained a policy
of making regular and equitable adjustments to staff remuneration.
Radio New Zealand has increased wages and salaries every year since 1995 when the company was established. General
salary increases together with additional performance based payments have kept pace with the movements in the Consumer
Price Index during this period.
Significant non monetary allowances, terms of employment, and conditions of work for Radio New Zealand staff are better
than in many other broadcasting organisations.
For its part, Radio New Zealand insists on the right to manage its business and establish appropriate employment
structures and practices.
Radio New Zealand regrets the union decision to walk out on mediation in order to strike but looks forward to ongoing
discussion on outstanding points of difference and trusts a solution can be found.
Ends
Radio New Zealand Industrial Action.
The Radio New Zealand Position
1. Wage and Salary Adjustment
Radio New Zealand negotiations with the PSA must result in a collective employment agreement which provides some benefit
to the company as well as benefits to the union and staff. The current PSA position requires payment from Radio New
Zealand with no return or benefit to the company.
Radio New Zealand is offering all eligible PSA members an increase of 4% in base salary and performance pay spread over
two years in return for adjustments to work practices.
Radio New Zealand is offering one off lump sum payments to staff required to change their curent shift and roster
arrangements.
Radio New Zealand is an industry leader in staff training and career development providing very generous non monetary
benefits including:
- Subsidised study leave
- Long service leave
- Six weeks paid parental leave
- “As needs’ sick leave
- Other generous leave conditions
- On site occupational health and safety service
- Employee assistance programmes
- Subsidised medical insurance
- Free parking for shift workers
- Free vision tests, hearing tests and annual flu shots.
2. Radio New Zealand Right to Manage
Radio New Zealand insists on the right to manage its business and establish an employment structure that is equitable
for all employees in order to meet current and future operational requirements.
Radio New Zealand must have the flexibility to adjust to the changing operational environment as needs dictate.
- Radio New Zealand operates twenty four hours a day, seven days a week and insists on the ability to set work rosters
to meet complicated work demands and deadlines.
- Radio New Zealand requires full time staff to work up to 40 hours a week if required.
- Radio New Zealand must be able to establish rosters that provide a 40 hour week for full time employees while ensuring
that full consultation covers the impact of shift patterns on employees personal lives. Radio New Zealand will not make
unreasonable changes to shift rosters.
- Radio New Zealand notes that other major broadcasters in New Zealand retain the right to establish shift and roster
patterns after consultation with staff.
3. Collective Agreement Coverage
Radio New Zealand insists that senior and specialist staff with conflicts of interest should be excluded from potential
coverage by a PSA collective employment agreement.
The PSA Position
1. Wage and Salary Adjustment
The PSA position is that any wage negotiation must achieve an improved final outcome for its members. The PSA position
is that there will be a 6% wage increase across the board.
2. Radio New Zealand Right to Manage
The PSA position is that there should never be any change to rosters without the agreement of staff concerned.
3. Collective Agreement Coverage
The PSA insists that all staff with the exception of a few senior managers will be included in the coverage provisions
of the collective agreement.