Updated ,first published
Thousands of ABC journalists and staff will walk off the job this Wednesday for the first time in two decades after 60 per cent of them voted against the broadcaster’s latest pay offer.
The ABC’s chief people officer, Deena Amorelli, informed staff on Monday morning that a majority had rejected the offer of a 10 per cent pay rise over three years and a $1000 signing bonus by 395 votes, clearing the way for a 24-hour stoppage from 11am on Wednesday.
That could disrupt some live radio and television programs as ABC staff push for higher pay and more job security, but the ABC is arguing that its offer is already fair and declared it will go to the industrial umpire for orders to help resolve the dispute.
In an email to staff, Amorelli initially said 60 per cent of voting ABC staff had accepted the pay offer and 40 per cent rejected it, but then corrected herself to clarify that the percentages were reversed.
“As previously mentioned, the ABC will now make an application to the Fair Work Commission to assist with resolving bargaining,” Amorelli told staff in an email seen by this masthead.
There are two unions representing ABC staff – the Media, Entertainment and Arts Alliance (MEAA) and the Community and Public Sector Union (CPSU). The ABC has roughly 4500 staff and 75.6 per cent voted on the pay offer, meaning more than 3000 employees returned their ballots.
The last major strike at the ABC was in 2006, also over a pay dispute, and caused severe disruptions to its broadcast operations. Presenters will begin informing audiences of the planned action from 11am on Tuesday.
The latest pay offer put forward by ABC boss Hugh Marks included a one-time $1000 cash bonus on top of the 10 per cent pay rise over three years.
A similar 24-hour strike was called off in early 2023 after then-managing director David Anderson tabled an improved 11 per cent pay offer at the last moment, alongside a $1500 cash bonus.
The unions are expected to brief members on plans during meetings on Monday morning.
The latest offer included 3.5 per cent, 3.25 per cent and 3.25 per cent pay rises across three years. The offer also included 16 weeks of parental leave for supporting partners and increased sick and compassionate leave.
The current offer is below the most recent inflation figure of 3.8 per cent, as of January.
The MEAA’s media president Michael Slezak, who is also a reporter at the ABC, said staff need a better pay deal to produce quality news and entertainment the public relies on.
“We can’t accept a deal that cuts conditions, sends pay backwards against inflation and refuses to rule out replacing ABC journalists with AI bots,” Slezak said.
The CPSU’s ABC Section secretary Jocelyn Gammie said members “do not vote for strike action lightly”, and the last thing they want to do is inconvenience loyal audiences, but that disruptions are inevitable without a “fair” offer.
“The fact that so many union members have taken this step demonstrates how frustrated they are at this process,” Gammie said.
“ABC staff work hard to provide high-quality services for the Australian community. They deserve to be treated with respect and that means a decent pay offer and fair agreement.”
The ABC was approached for comment.
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Calum Jaspan is a media writer for The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age, based in Melbourne. Reach him securely on Signal @calumjaspan.10Connect via X or email.
