Strikes again suspend news services at Radio NZ

Radio New Zealand journalists and technicians walked off the job this morning for the second time in less than 24 hours, leaving the state broadcaster with no choice but to use overseas news programmes.

The strike, which started at 4am and was due to finish at 9am, was the fifth time union members have walked out over their pay claims since July 29.

The strike forced the cancellation of Morning Report and BBC news was broadcast instead.

Engineering, Printing and Manufacturing Union national secretary Andrew Little, who was due to join the picket line today, said workers' demand for a five per cent pay rise was "rather modest".

The Labour Cost Index, released yesterday, showed that the average public sector pay rise in the June quarter was 5.3 per cent.

Radio New Zealand had offered a three per cent rise.

Public Service Association organiser Brenden Sheehan said RNZ salaries had fallen behind those paid to others in the media industry, both in the public and private sector, during the 1990s.

"Broadcasting is a competitive industry and good staff will leave RNZ if they are not paid fair wages."

RNZ communications manager John Barr said while there were no formal talks planned with the two unions, there was "continued open communication".

- NZPA