April 27, 2007

Deadline for TVNZ redundancies extended

The Engineering, Printing and Manufacturing Union has won an extension of the consultation period and mediation over proposed cuts to 58 news and current affairs jobs at TVNZ.

The extension means the parties will be meeting for mediation next Friday as part of the EPMU's fight to save the jobs.

EPMU national secretary Andrew Little says the public broadcaster has shown scant regard for the opinions its staff or their unions.

"We've watched this restructuring being rolled out without any real consultation with members or their representatives aside from a few token gestures and an internal PR campaign including the hiring of a media 'change management' specialist.

"We believe there has been an attempt to smother staff concerns throughout this process and when these concerns are being raised by some of the most experienced hands in the industry that's a dangerous business move.

"TVNZ is one of New Zealand's primary news outlets. It's where millions of Kiwis go every day to get information about what's going on in their world and TVNZ management is railroading changes through without listening to the people who know the most about making sure that information is the best it can be."

If mediation does not result in a positive outcome the EPMU will consider legal action over TVNZ's process failures.

The EPMU represents nearly 5000 print and media workers across the country and currently is campaigning for better media through its OurMedia! campaign.

More information about the campaign can be found at: www.OurMedia.org.nz

ENDS

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