ABC staff vote ‘No’ to management’s backwards and insulting enterprise agreement offer
Staff at the ABC have voted to reject management’s insulting enterprise agreement offer, which sought to undermine previous wins, threaten to stall careers and worsen job insecurity.
Members of the Media, Entertainment & Arts Alliance at the ABC are not only fighting for fair pay and conditions but for the future of the national broadcaster.
MEAA Chief Executive Erin Madeley said staff would not stand by and accept the ongoing mismanagement of the ABC.
“Australians deserve for our ABC to be run in the interest of the public, not in the interests of a select few,” Ms Madeley said.
“For that to happen, journalists and content makers need secure jobs and sustainable careers, in both regional and metro areas.” Ms Madeley said.
“Management’s backwards offer attempted to cut job security and access to career progression.
“It also ignored staff calls for ethical and accountable use of A.I. in the workplace, respect for the MEAA Journalist Code of Ethics, and an audit into racial and disability pay gaps.
“We applaud the brave and principled MEAA members at the ABC, who will not back down in their fight for workers’ rights, journalism and a sustainable national broadcaster.”
The ABC MEAA House Committee said: “Instead of respecting the needs of staff who are dedicated to serving their audiences, ABC management tried to bypass their union representatives at the bargaining table and force through cuts to conditions and pay that won’t keep up with inflation”.
“Over the past two years, ABC management has wasted millions of dollars on a failed defence of its illegal termination of an employee due to her political opinions, and it continues to act in contravention of the Fair Work Act in relation to its abuse of rolling, short-term fixed contracts.
“It’s time for management to get its priorities right and commit to proper good faith bargaining with its staff in the interest of the Australian public.”
For media inquiries:
Rebecca 0411 790 304
