NUJ stands in solidarity with ABC colleagues on strike
The union has joined the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) in sending a message of support to journalists in Australia who went on strike for the first time in 20 years.
The Media, Entertainment & Arts Alliance (MEAA) called on ABC management to ensure fair pay, secure work, and improved conditions that protect quality public-interest journalism.
The industrial 24-hour strike action began on 25 March as a result of the rejection of ABC management’s latest revision to proposed enterprise agreement, with 60 per cent of staff voting against the offer that included limited improvements to job security but no increase to pay or key conditions, with a one-off $1,000 payment offered in lieu of a base salary increase.
The agreement which was rejected proposed a 10 per cent total salary increase over three years, 3.5 per cent in the first year and 3.25 per cent in the following two years, falling short of Australia’s annual inflation rate which reached 3.8 per cent in January.
Almost 1,000 staff participated in a protected action ballot following the rejection, with over 90 per cent voting in favour of industrial action. Approved actions included unlimited stoppages of work with exemptions to ensure emergency broadcasting continues uninterrupted.
Programming across television, radio, and digital platforms were all significantly disrupted, with content replaced by the BBC World Service and repeats of previous programmes. NUJ BBC members have been critical of their content being used to undermine the industrial action of other workers.
The MEAA said that experienced journalists are being forced out of the industry, particularly in regional Australia, due to below-inflation pay outcomes and the proliferation of insecure work.
Union members, from both the MEAA and Community and Public Sector Union (CPSU), which represents technology and control systems staff at the ABC, are also seeking increased protections against the use of AI to replace journalists, ensuring that automated technologies do not undermine editorial integrity or public trust.
Erin Madeley, MEAA chief executive, said:
“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. Investing in the people behind the ABC is essential to protecting a public broadcaster that belongs to all Australians.”
The IFJ said:
“The IFJ stands in full solidarity with the MEAA and our colleagues at the ABC who have shown great courage in their fight for decent wages and job security. Quality journalism cannot be sustained when media workers are forced to shoulder the burden of stagnant pay, increasing workloads, and uncertainty amid the rapid integration of AI technologies. IFJ calls on ABC management to swiftly re-engage with staff to reach a fair and sustainable agreement.”