Radio New Zealand Industrial Action

Tuesday, 7 August 2001, 4:28 pm
Press Release: Radio New Zealand Limited

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.

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