ABC journalists are set to walk off the job on Wednesday for the first time in 20 years, causing major disruption to the public broadcaster's news services for 24 hours. The industrial action involves staff from the Media, Entertainment and Arts Alliance (MEAA) and the Community and Public Sector Union (CPSU), representing journalists and technical staff.
The unions have urged members to reject a draft agreement offering a 10% total pay rise over three years, arguing it is below inflation and fails to address concerns about career progression, night shift penalty rates, and reproductive health leave. The ABC's managing director, Hugh Marks, defended the offer as sustainable and financially responsible, warning that a higher offer would put content and services in peril.
Sixty per cent of ABC staff voted against the revised enterprise agreement on Sunday, which included a one-off $1,000 payment excluding casual staff. Staff will strike for 24 hours from 11am on Wednesday, with exemptions in place for emergency broadcasting. The last such strike occurred in 2006, causing major interruptions to TV and radio services.
Journalist Paige Cockburn, on a temporary contract until June, expressed frustration on Instagram, stating management had played dirty in negotiations and refused to assure that AI would not replace jobs. CPSU secretary Jocelyn Gammie said staff were frustrated and deserved a fair offer, while MEAA chief executive Erin Madeley said members were standing up for secure jobs and fair treatment.
The strike has sparked public calls to defund the ABC, with critics arguing the broadcaster is overstaffed and mismanaged. However, supporters emphasize the importance of public-interest journalism and fair working conditions.
