TVNZ strike: About 50 staff picket outside Auckland CBD office

Some TVNZ journalists have gathered outside the front of TVNZ’s Auckland headquarters as staff walk off the job for the first time in 20 years.

About 150 E Tū members, made up of journalists and newsroom staff, are on strike for an hour today.

Some striking staff are holding signs which read “pay us what we’re worth” and “pay me don’t insult me“ and waving flags.

Members have declined an offer of a 2.5% rise by the broadcaster.

Instead, they’re gunning for double that – 5%.

“With annual inflation at 3.7%, that’s another real pay cut for a workforce that has seen offers fall below inflation for years,” the union said this morning.

Strikes were expected across Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch.

TVNZ staff are picketing outside the company's flagship building on Victoria St West in Auckland's CBD.

E tū national secretary Rachel Mackintosh said earlier today the country relied on “good media”.

“We’ve watched newsrooms shrink and experienced people leave the industry for years. Every time someone walks out the door because they can’t afford to stay, the whole country loses something.

• 'Slipped behind': E tū national secretary on why TVNZ staff plan to strike next week

“TVNZ belongs to the public. New Zealanders expect it to tell the truth and hold power to account, and they’d expect it to treat its own workers fairly too.”

A TVNZ spokeswoman this morning reiterated what she told the Herald last week – that the company had not yet come to an agreement with the union.

“We’ve been in constructive bargaining discussions with the unions since July but have not yet reached an agreement.

“We remain committed to a remuneration increase for members. However, the unions’ current proposal exceeds what TVNZ can sustain.”

TVNZ journalist and E tū delegate Ethan Te Ora said wages needed to rise in line with inflation.

“We’re hearing stories about workers at TVNZ choosing between buying baby formula and coming into work, because they can’t afford the transport costs.

“A decent pay offer would make all the difference. Let’s be clear, no one goes into journalism for the money, but we deserve more than meagre pay rises that don’t keep up with the cost of living.”

1News reporter and E tū member Aziz Al Sa’afin said pay was detrimental to keeping some of the company’s most experienced journalists.

“Some of my colleagues have given more than 20 years to TVNZ. They’re incredibly skilled people who care deeply about what they do, and they deserve to be paid fairly. Instead, they’re struggling to cover the mortgage or rent and keep food on the table.

“We all love what we do. We just want to be able to keep doing that while being paid fairly.”