E tū organiser Ann Galloway told the Herald further strike action could not be ruled out.
“That decision will be down to the members. They’ve been moved to actually take action. It means they’re really very angry.”
Asked if the newspaper would still be produced, Galloway said: “I’m sure they’ll cobble together something. Obviously, they’re not going to tell us.”
She said journalism was generally not well-paid, but Allied Press unionised staff had been receiving increases well below the Consumers Price Index.
Some employees at the Dunedin metropolitan daily paper say pay has been abysmal. Photo / Supplied
Allied Press said it tabled a new offer to the union yesterday which it believed addressed their concerns.
“We offered to meet with the union this week, which they have declined so far. We are willing to meet with them when they are ready.”
The company was asked about union claims staff had insufficient training and resources.
“The editorial team are a key part of the Allied Press team and do a great job for us. As a business, we are committed to providing appropriate training for our staff.”
The company said newspapers and online news coverage would continue despite the strike.
It said it had offered more than the union suggested and had offered some staff the equivalent of 9 per cent.
ODT union delegate and journalist Rebecca Fox said pay rises for members over the past 15 years had fallen behind inflation and behind other media companies.
“We recognise how tough the media industry and the ODT [have] it at the moment, but it can’t be an excuse for unliveable wages.
“Other players in the industry are getting 5 to 6 per cent pay increases. Our last one was 2 per cent.”
Some members had more than 20 years’ experience but were barely on $70,000, Fox said.
Herald journalists belonging to the Engineering, Printing and Manufacturing Union went on strike in 2001 when negotiations over collective employment contracts broke down.
A strike at the Herald in 2001 led publishers to share a lengthy missive with readers. The company claimed the journalists' union wanted a national multi-employer agreement and a "return to the days of wage demands backed by national newspaper strikes". Image / NZME
That strike was contentious, and the company published a lengthy statement in the paper decrying strike action.
The Herald reported at the time that the newspaper’s production was unaffected.
John Weekes is online business editor. He has covered courts, politics, crime and consumer affairs. He rejoined the Herald in 2020, previously working at Stuff and News Regional, Australia.