Industry-leading EBA struck at Private Media

Media, Entertainment & Arts Alliance (MEAA) members and Private Media have reached an agreement on industry-leading conditions for AI, First Nations cultural and ceremonial leave, and reproductive health leave.

In an industry first, Private Media has explicitly stated in its new enterprise agreement that AI would not replace human workers, with all output to have human oversight.

The company has also committed that any use of AI would comply with the Australian Government AI Assurance Framework and AI would not undermine the MEAA Code of Ethics.

Private Media CEO Will Hayward said he was focused on building a sustainable, long-term business that truly served its audiences and enabled journalists to produce the best work of their careers.

“AI will be part of that future, but using it without human sign-off, or simply as a way to cut costs, is the opposite of what media companies should be doing,” he said.

“We’re delighted to sign this agreement and commit to working with our editorial teams to think about the best ways to use technology in service of our audiences, and in a way that is sustainable for the long term.”

First Nations workers will benefit from six days of paid cultural and ceremonial leave per year, supporting ongoing connection to Country.

In another industry first, all workers will have access to eight days per year of paid reproductive health leave.

The agreement locks in wage rises of 4 per cent per year for three years and mechanisms that support pay and career progression, including access to higher pay bands for journalists without managerial responsibilities and provision for workers to discuss their pay grading and workload at their annual review. Further, Private Media has formalised its completion of annual gender and diversity audits within the EBA.

MEAA Chief Executive Erin Madeley said the conditions in the agreement were overwhelmingly supported by the staff at Private Media and have been approved by the Fair Work Commission.

“MEAA members’ approach to bargaining at Private Media highlighted that when the union and management focus on the needs and concerns of workers and audiences, a progressive deal can be reached that benefits the publication and the workforce, and supports ethical, diverse and public interest news and information,” said Ms Madeley.

“This agreement sets a standard for employers across the media industry to follow.”

Private Media was also the first major media business to sign on to MEAA’s Freelance Journalists Charter of Rights, which outlines the core rights to which freelancers are entitled and will soon commence its annual review of these terms with the union.

Media inquiries: Rebecca 0411 790 304