Workers join forces for picket

Striking Radio New Zealand staff joined forces with workers from the Department of Child, Youth and Family in a picket yesterday.

Members of two union have been taking joint action at the state broadcaster over the past month in their bid for a 5 per cent pay increase.

The unions involved are the Engineering, Printing and Manufacturing Union and the Public Services Association.

Radio New Zealand management is offering only 3 per cent.

The strike yesterday, from 11am to 1pm, caused the cancellation of Radio New Zealand's Midday Report.

Other striking PSA members from CYF marched to Radio NZ's headquarters on The Terrace in Wellington to show solidarity.

It is the sixth time RNZ staff have taken industrial action since the end of last month.

However, EPMU national secretary Andrew Little said management of Radio NZ seemed strangely unwilling even to talk with the union.

"It is a very strange situation," he said.

"I met the CEO two weeks ago and he showed no willingness or any desire to re-enter negotiations."

He said the repeated strike action was costing members income, but they were determined to hold firm.

- NZPA