'At this stage, we're seeking ideas from our people for strategic changes we can make across TVNZ'
Employees at TVNZ are worried about potential "larger cuts" in the organisation after they were notified of an upcoming change process.
According to E tū, TVNZ management informed employees that they need to increase their annual earnings by $30 million.
E tū negotiation specialist Michael Wood said they are "concerned that TVNZ is looking into further significant changes that could lead to even larger cuts than we have already seen."
"We will be taking this process seriously. An ongoing move towards a digital future at TVNZ is a reality, however we will fight hard to ensure that as this change happens, TVNZ fulfils its obligations to New Zealanders by ensuring that it produces high quality content, by skilled and experienced media workers," Wood said in a statement.
A spokesperson from TVNZ confirmed to Radio New Zealand the company's plans to deliver $30 million in savings as it moves towards its Digital+ 2030 strategy.
However, the spokesperson stressed that there are no proposals or decisions made on the matter.
"At this stage, we're seeking ideas from our people for strategic changes we can make across TVNZ so we can continue to deliver for New Zealand audiences in an efficient and cost-effective way," the spokesperson told RNZ.
TVNZ previously attempted to reduce its headcount by cutting several programmes as a cost-cutting measure, a move prevented by E tū who took them to court.
According to court decisions, TVNZ breached its collective agreement after failing to hold consultation with staff before proposing redundancies and show cancellations.
"The good news is that because union members at TVNZ have successfully campaigned on this issue, and defended their rights in the Employment Court, there is now a proper process in place to have union members at the table and involved in discussion about possible change at a much earlier stage," Wood said.
Meanwhile, the negotiation specialist also called for government intervention amid the challenges faced by TVNZ.
"Decent journalism is an absolute necessity in a well-functioning democracy. That's why TVNZ needs to be supported as a public broadcaster," Wood said.
"TVNZ, and the wider media landscape, must be supported by the Government to thrive – and we should all be gravely concerned about a future where purely commercial interests dictate the way we conduct our public discourse."
