Radio staff to meet about cost cuts

Press, 21 May 1988, Page 7

Radio staff to meet about cost cuts

Wellington reporter A full meeting of Radio New Zealand staff in Wellington is being called 'on Wednesday, to discuss calls to abandon a national cost-cutting project, said a Public Service Association source.

The meeting would be addressed by Radio New Zealand’s directorgeneral, Miss BeverleyWakem, the source said.

Ms Wakem spent two hours last Wednesday addressing network news staff, who had unanimously voted to have Project Aurora terminated.

The P.S.A. source said Miss Wakem denied

suggestions that the project, aiming at “stretching” State radio’s budget 40 per cent, had a hidden agenda to cut staff. But Miss Wakem did not deny that staff cuts would result, said the source.

Miss Wakem, through her secretary, refused to discuss Project Aurora, or staff discontent about the cost-cutting exercise. “She is not prepared to discuss Radio New Zealand’s domestic affairs through the columns of your newspaper,” said Miss Wakem’s secretary. The P.S.A. source said a lack of confidence in Radio New Zealand’s

senior management had been expressed at the, meeting. Project Aurora involves asking staff to come up with suggestions on how to meet a budget “stretch target” of 40 per cent. The project is being conducted in two cycles,] centring on Auckland and Wellington first, then all. commercial radio stations, around New Zealand.

Wellington news staff’ have questioned the pro-: ject’s worth when a steering committee is now exa-, mining the future struc- 1 ture of broadcasting. It is due to report to the Minister of Broadcasting, Mr Prebble, in July.