Union members at Māori TV announced today they will be walking off the job next week, perturbed at management for allegedly “undermining the bargaining process” by handing out Christmas bonuses.
The payments, as well as permanent pay rises that were handed out in January, went to employees who were not members of the union, alleged E tū industry coordinator Joe Gallagher. They happened at the same time the company was “telling us they have no money”, he said.
“Our members feel they’ve been discriminated against for being, and belonging to, E tū,” Gallagher said.
Māori TV has been approached for comment but has not yet responded.
The strike, slated to start on August 8 and last 24 hours, comes after more than six months of negotiations with the union that E tū described as having stalled. The union has blamed the company, suggesting the non-union bonuses are proof it hasn’t been acting in good faith.
“Despite their claiming to be a values-based organisation, they don’t seem to live those values,” Gallagher said in a statement to media announcing the strike. “The direction and behaviour of the management at MTV is seriously lacking for a company and organisation which promotes the values of tikanga.”
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