The ongoing pay dispute between ABC staff and the public broadcaster has officially come to an end.
The Media, Entertainment & Arts Alliance (MEAA) issued a statement on Wednesday morning announcing that the long-running matter is finalised.
“The MEAA congratulates ABC staff for voting to approve a new enterprise agreement, securing better pay, stronger conditions and important protections for the future of the public broadcaster,” the statement began.
“The agreement was won after historic industrial action, with more than 2000 ABC workers nationwide taking 24‑hour strike action that attracted widespread support from the community.”
MEAA Chief Executive Erin Madeley added:
“This is a tremendous victory for ABC staff who stood together and took courageous action to protect their livelihoods, their professions and the future of public broadcasting.
“By withdrawing their labour, workers showed just how central they are to the ABC and to the quality independent journalism Australians rely on every day.”
The approved agreement comes after months of failed negotiations which led to an historic 24-hour strike – the first in 26 years. Staff were not only seeking a pay increase, but also more job and career progression certainty.
The MEAA says these conditions have been satisfied, as the agreement, “delivers improved pay and job security, genuine classification progression to support sustainable careers – particularly for journalists in regional bureaus. It also includes strengthened diversity measures and clear guardrails to ensure the ethical use of artificial intelligence.”
Ms Madeley said MEAA members at the ABC were “extremely appreciative for the overwhelming public support shown throughout this campaign.
“The solidarity from audiences and supporters made a real impact – from people joining strike lines, to signing petitions and donating to strike funds,” she said.
“That support sent a powerful message that Australians value their ABC and the workers who make it possible.
“With the agreement approved, MEAA is looking forward to working constructively with ABC management to implement changes and build a strong, sustainable ABC.”
Image: ABC
Unions encourage acceptance of improved offer
After a meeting between ABC management, staff, unions and the Fair Work Commission in early April, a new pay offer was made in the hopes of ending the lengthy pay dispute.
The revised deal offers employees a 10.5 per cent pay rise over three years, up from the previous offer of 10 per cent over the same period.
Under the new proposal, staff would receive a 4 per cent pay rise in the first year (revised up from 3.5 per cent, and backpaid to October), and 3.25 per cent hikes in years two and three.
ABC management also proposed a more considered approach to career progression, allowing for more rapid promotion of staff on merit.
However, the ABC dropped the original $1000 bonus, which was originally offered but ultimately rejected earlier in a vote.
An ABC spokesperson said in addition to an improved pay deal, the revised offer “also delivers clearer progression pathways between pay bands, targeted performance bonuses, retention of existing promotion provisions and enhanced leave entitlements.”
Jocelyn Gammie, ABC section secretary of the CPSU, said the union will be recommending that members support the improved offer.
“While ABC’s revised position does not fully address every issue in our claim, there has been significant movement on the key issues of pay and progression,” Ms Gammie said.
“In our view the strongly supported strike action last week worked exactly as intended – ABC management have listened and improved their position. Members should be extremely proud of the way they stood together and fought for what they deserve.”