TVNZ ordered into mediation with union over job cuts: reports

Broadcaster TVNZ has been ordered to enter mediation with the union after the Employment Relations Authority (ERA) found that it breached its collective agreement.

The ERA found that the TVNZ failed to comply in its obligation to consult with staff when it proposed 68 job losses across the organisation.

"The Authority finds that TVNZ has breached cl 10.1.1 of the collective agreement," the ERA ruled as quoted by 1News. "If after mediation matters have not resolved, a compliance order shall be issued against TVNZ ordering it comply with cl 10.1.1 of the collective agreement."

TVNZ, Union react to ruling

The broadcaster said it was "disappointed" over the ERA's ruling, saying: "We will now take the time to consider the decision and our next steps."

The union, however, said they were "really happy, but not surprised" over the decision.

"We negotiated for members to have meaningful input into change processes because the workers are the experts, and had TVNZ honoured the collective agreement from the beginning, we may well have reached a much more favourable option for everyone," E tū negotiation specialist Michael Wood said as quoted by Stuff.

"Instead, we've had to endure this messy and incomplete consultation process, and the company has already steamed ahead with their plans to cancel our important news and current affairs shows."

TVNZ job cuts

TVNZ previously proposed 68 job cuts as it cancelled various programmes as part of cost-cutting measures in the organisation.

The E Tū union, however, alleged to the ERA that the broadcaster did not give its staff opportunity to engage with the plan until the proposal was presented.

"It's crystal clear in the TVNZ collective agreement that workers must be involved in developing proposals like this, not just asked for their views at the end of the process," Wood previously said.