Thousands of ABC employees are preparing to walk off the job this week for the first time in two decades after rejecting the broadcaster’s latest pay proposal.
Staff were told that 60 per cent of employees voted against a draft enterprise agreement, which reportedly included a 10 per cent pay rise over three years and a $1000 sign-on bonus. The Community and Public Sector Union confirmed more than 75 per cent of staff took part in the vote, following months of negotiations between management and unions. The ABC employs about 4500 people.
The result has triggered a protected 24-hour strike, set to begin at 11am on Wednesday.
“CPSU members do not vote for strike action lightly. The fact that so many union members have taken this step demonstrates how frustrated they are at this process,” ABC Section Secretary Jocelyn Gammie said.
“ABC staff work hard to provide high quality services for the Australian community. They deserve to be treated with respect and that means a decent pay offer and fair agreement.”
“The last thing union members want to do is inconvenience loyal ABC audiences by disrupting programming and services, but key bargaining claims remain unresolved,” Gammie added.
“Unless the ABC put a fair offer on the table, disruptions are inevitable.”
The last major industrial action at the broadcaster was in 2006, when ABC staff stopped work nationwide for 24 hours. The Media, Entertainment and Arts Alliance also represents ABC employees.
