Staff at Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) have launched their first strike in 20 years after overwhelmingly voting in favour of protected industrial action starting March 25.
In a statement, the International Federation of Journalists expressed solidarity with its Australian affiliate, the Media, Entertainment & Arts Alliance, urging ABC management to ensure fair pay, secure employment, and improved working conditions to safeguard quality public-interest journalism.
The 24-hour strike, which began at 11 a.m., followed the rejection of ABC management’s revised enterprise agreement, with 60 per cent of staff voting against the proposal. The offer included limited improvements to job security but no pay rise, instead proposing a one-off $1,000 payment.
The rejected deal outlined a 10 per cent salary increase over three years, which unions argued falls short of inflation, recorded at 3.8 per cent in January.
After the rejection, nearly 1,000 staff participated in a protected ballot, with more than 90 per cent supporting industrial action. While emergency broadcasting services will continue, programming across television, radio, and digital platforms is expected to face significant disruptions, with some content replaced by the BBC World Service and repeat programs.
The MEAA stated that below-inflation wages and insecure employment conditions are driving experienced journalists out of the industry, particularly in regional Australia. Chief Executive Erin Madeley said media workers are increasingly being asked to do more with fewer resources and less job security.
Union members, including those from the Community and Public Sector Union, are also seeking stronger protections against the use of artificial intelligence to replace journalists, emphasizing the need to maintain editorial integrity and public trust.
ABC Managing Director Hugh Marks defended the pay offer as “sustainable and financially responsible” and said the organisation would seek mediation through Australia’s Fair Work Commission to resolve the dispute.
