An ABC television host has used the broadcaster as a platform to advocate for a pay rise and make other specific workplace demands – as the national broadcaster goes on strike.
ABC staff downed tools for the first time in 20 years on Wednesday, with a 24-hour strike kicking off at 11am AEDT.
Staff are calling for an improved pay offer from management and better working conditions. They are also protesting the widespread use of short-term contracts and limited career progression, and a pay deal that is below inflation.
The ABC’s 24 hour news channel immediately shifted to a BBC America broadcast at 11am, with empty desks clearly seen behind host Gemma Veness as she announced the walkout.
The network’s entire programming slate has virtually been cancelled for the day. A re-run of Australian Story will replace the 7pm news bulletin on the broadcaster’s main channel. Flagship current-affairs program 7.30 will be replaced by a Hard Quiz re-run.
ABC staff have used the broadcaster’s own airwaves to level their demands. During Tuesday’s edition of The World, ABC presenter Girish Sawlani pushed for his colleagues to get pay rises.
‘The show will look a bit different tomorrow, we will be off air because my colleagues and I will be on strike,’ he said.
‘We’re asking ABC management to deliver secure, safe and sustainable jobs so we can deliver the news and content you deserve.
ABC presenter Girish Sawlani advocated for his own pay increase on Tuesday’s edition of the The World
‘But they are falling short of offering fair pay and conditions.’
Moments before the strike began, in a shot showing mostly empty desks, Ms Veness told viewers: ‘The ABC is planning to continue delivering some services and emergency broadcasting will not be affected by the strike.’
ABC News Breakfast host James Glenday confirmed on air that his show would not be broadcast on Thursday due to the strike.
Some other radio programming is set to be replaced by BBC content.
On-air revolt
On-air presenters, including those set to strike, had begun using their platform to inform viewers about the industrial action on Tuesday.
‘(Wednesday’s) programming will look a little bit different … my colleagues and I are going to be on strike,’ ABC Canberra radio host Alice Matthews said on air.
‘We’re asking ABC management to make sure our pay grows, at the very least, in line with (inflation), among a few other things related to job security and AI.’
ABC staff at the Canberra bureau were pictured walking off the job on Wednesday morning
ABC staff across the nation downed tools for the first time in 20 years
Large gatherings were expected outside ABC offices nationwide, including Melbourne, Canberra and Sydney, during the 24-hour strike.
The Community and Public Sector Union and the Media, Entertainment and Arts Alliance are representing staff taking action.
‘We’ve been in bargaining for a long time now with the ABC and what we want to see is a pay off that reflects cost-of-living pressures and actually respects the really important work that the ABC do,’ CPSU national secretary Melissa Donnelly told the Australian Associated Press.
‘ABC plays such an important role in our society and in Australian storytelling and it’s really important ABC management come to the table.’
What the ABC strike is about
About 60 per cent of ABC staff rejected management’s previous offer that included a 10-per-cent pay rise across three years.
The unions are also demanding greater night-shift penalty rates, reproductive health leave and rules relating to artificial intelligence.
‘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,’ MEAA chief executive Erin Madeley said.
It is the broadcaster’s first major strike since 2006.
ABC managing director Hugh Marks said the offered pay deal was financially responsible and competitive for the industry.
‘The average tenure of an ABC staff member is more than 10 years, which is three times the economy average … over 90 per cent of ABC staff are ongoing employees,’ Mr Marks said.
‘The pay offer reflects the maximum level the ABC can sustainably provide and is balanced when looking across all the factors that we need to consider.’
More than 4,400 people work at the ABC, including 2,000 in news, the largest division.
