Update On Media Union Nationwide Disputes

Following is an update on current industrial disputes in the media industry.

Waikato Times (Fairfax): Workers have voted to settle a dispute that saw strikes at the paper last month. Agreement includes a five per cent pay rise and a $1400 lump-sum payment for journalists graded J6 and upwards. Journalists graded J5 and below will get a 6.5 per cent pay rise. Seventeen-month term. The agreement is yet to go through the formal ratification process. Production workers in negotiations.

Levin Chronicle (APN): On strike this morning for the second time in the current dispute. Seeking a five per cent pay rise. Employer has lifted an initial offer of 2.8 per cent to three per cent.

Wanganui Chronicle (APN): A strike yesterday was the third 24-hour stoppage in a month. Seeking a five per cent pay rise. Offered 2.8 per cent.

Hawke’s Bay Today: (APN): Printers on strike yesterday and today. Journalists have so far taken 2.5 days’ strike action. Both groups are seeking a five per cent pay rise, and have been offered 2.8 per cent. Delegates have a mandate to call action as they see fit.

Otago Daily Times (Allied Press): Negotiating to renew the collective. Workers seeking 5.5 per cent pay rise. Expecting a new two-year offer from the company today.

Wairarapa Times-Age (APN): Work-to-rule and no weekend work. One day’s strike last month. Seeking a five per cent rise, offered 2.8 per cent.

Hutt News (Fairfax): On strike this morning for the fourth time in a month. Seeking a five per cent pay rise. Offered 3.5 per cent.

Upper Hutt Leader (Fairfax): will strike from 11.30am today, for the fourth time in a month. Seeking a five per cent pay rise. Offered 3.5 per cent.

Radio New Zealand (state-owned): Numerous short strikes since late July have seen flagship news programmes like Morning Report, Midday Report and Checkpoint off the air. Now have an agreement over pay rates, with other issues to be addressed next week.

Capital Community Newspapers (APN): Publishes Independent Herald (Johnsonville). Porirua City News, Wainuiomata News, Western News (Petone). On strike since yesterday. Seeking pay parity with comparable newspapers, plus a rise.

New Zealand Herald (APN): Seven people in the editorial department have taken voluntary redundancy, removing the threat of compulsory redundancy.

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