Thousands of journalists and staff at the ABC plan to walk off the job this week amid a heated pay dispute, potentially halting live radio and television broadcasts for hours.
Vote Rejects Latest Offer
Workers will down tools starting Wednesday at 11 a.m. following a ballot where 60 percent rejected the national broadcaster’s most recent pay proposal. ABC Chief People Officer Deena Amorelli shared the results in an email to staff on Monday, noting that 75.6 percent of eligible employees participated, with the offer falling short by 395 votes.
First Major Walkout in 20 Years
This action marks the first significant staff walkout at the ABC in two decades, set to last 24 hours and disrupt broadcast operations extensively.
Staff Highlight Job Insecurity
ABC journalist Ahmed Yussuf shared his concerns on X on March 20, emphasizing the fight for better conditions amid ‘insecure and unsustainable’ employment. “Before becoming a permanent staff member at the ABC, I had about nine contracts in the space of three years with contracts spanning between 10 months, to as short as one month,” Yussuf stated. He noted that many colleagues have not secured stable roles, leading to the loss of talented individuals unable to endure the uncertainty.
Hannah Story, a writer in the ABC’s Arts division, described the precarious nature of positions firsthand. “Since I started with the ABC on a short-term contract five years ago, my team has been restructured out of existence — not once, but twice,” she posted on X. Story added that these changes signal how little value the broadcaster places on specialist arts and entertainment journalism.
Unions Involved
The Media, Entertainment and Arts Alliance (MEAA) and the Community and Public Sector Union (CPSU) represent the striking staff.
