ABC staff to take industrial action in fight for quality jobs

ABC staff have voted overwhelmingly in favour of protected industrial action – including a 24-hour strike planned to commence at 11am AEDT on Wed 25 March – in a bid to secure sustainable jobs, fair pay and improved working conditions, and to protect the quality news and programming Australians rely on. 

Close to 1,000 staff participated in the ballot, with over 90 per cent voting in favour of industrial action. The approved actions also include unlimited stoppages of work, with exemptions in place to ensure emergency broadcasting continues. 

Media, Entertainment & Arts Alliance Chief Executive, Erin Madeley, said the decision reflected deep frustration after months of negotiations with ABC management. 

“I congratulate our brave members at the ABC for standing up for secure jobs, fair treatment and quality journalism – but they should never have been pushed to this point,” Ms Madeley said. 

“ABC staff are taking this step because they want fair pay that keeps up with the cost of living, genuine job security, and working conditions that allow them to continue serving the Australian public with integrity.” 

The decision to strike followed ABC staff voting no to a revised enterprise agreement offer from management that included limited improvements to job security but no increase to pay or key conditions compared with the previous offer. Management’s proposal also included a one‑off $1,000 payment that would not be added to base salaries, would not attract superannuation, and would exclude casual staff. 

Ms Madeley said below‑inflation pay outcomes and ongoing insecure work threatened the future of public‑interest journalism. 

“Experienced journalists and media workers are being asked to do more with less – with fewer opportunities for pay progression, less certainty about their future, and growing workloads,” she said. 

“This isn’t just a workforce issue. When skilled, experienced staff are forced out, communities lose trusted local voices, particularly in regional Australia where the ABC is often the only local newsroom.” 

Ms Madeley said staff had worked hard to minimise disruption, particularly to emergency broadcasting, but warned that unresolved workplace issues posed a greater long‑term risk. 

“ABC staff don’t want to strike – they want to do their jobs,” she said. 

“They want fair pay, secure work, and guardrails around the use of technologies like AI to protect editorial integrity and public trust.” 

MEAA is calling on ABC management to work with us to agree an offer that properly reflects the value of ABC staff and protects the future of Australia’s public broadcaster. “Investing in the people behind the ABC is essential to protecting a public broadcaster that belongs to all Australians,” Ms Madeley said. 

For media inquiries: 

Rebecca — 0411 790 304