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ABC staff walk out over pay and job security
Hundreds of journalists at Australia's national broadcaster, the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC), began a 24-hour strike on Wednesday, marking the first industrial action at the network in two decades. The walkout follows the rejection of a pay offer that staff say falls short of inflation and fails to address concerns over AI replacing jobs.
Key programs disrupted as strike begins
The strike, which started at 11:00 local time (00:00 GMT), has forced the cancellation of flagship shows, including the 7.30 current affairs program and breakfast radio broadcasts. Reruns, pre-recorded content, and BBC programs will fill the gaps, while emergency broadcasting remains unaffected. Radio stations such as Triple J and ABC Classic will air limited live segments, relying mostly on music.
Pay offer rejected as inflation outpaces wages
The ABC's management proposed a 10% pay increase over three years, with a 3.5% rise in the first year and 3.25% in the following two. However, 60% of union members voted against the offer, citing Australia's annual inflation rate of 3.8% in January. Staff were also offered a one-off $1,000 bonus, though casual workers-who make up a significant portion of the workforce-were excluded.
ABC Managing Director Hugh Marks defended the offer as financially responsible, stating it reflected the maximum the government-funded broadcaster could sustain. "The pay offer is balanced when considering all factors," he said.
Staff demand better conditions and AI safeguards
Beyond pay, journalists are calling for higher night-shift rates, clearer career progression, and fewer short-term contracts. Many are also angered by the ABC's refusal to rule out using AI to replace staff. The Community and Public Sector Union (CPSU) emphasized that salaries should reflect cost-of-living pressures and the value of public broadcasting.
"ABC plays a vital role in Australian storytelling, and management must come to the table," said Melissa Donnelly, CPSU national secretary.
Protests and personal stories highlight workforce struggles
Hundreds of staff, many dressed in black, gathered outside ABC offices in Sydney and Melbourne to protest. Veteran broadcaster Fran Kelly, who hosted the network's flagship breakfast radio show for nearly 20 years, addressed the crowd, recalling her own early career struggles with rolling contracts before securing a permanent role through union efforts.
"I want you all to have the same choice. It's unacceptable to be stuck on pay that isn't enough to live on in Sydney or Melbourne," she said.
Many journalists spoke anonymously, fearing repercussions for their short-term contracts. One podcast producer, who recently received a permanent job offer from a rival outlet, described the dilemma: "I love my job and want to stay, but this is the decision I have to make."
Political reactions and next steps
Opposition communications spokesperson Sarah Henderson, a former ABC journalist, criticized the strike as a "disgrace," arguing the pay offer was reasonable given economic conditions. "There's never been a more important time for ABC journalists to be informing Australians," she said.
The ABC plans to take the dispute to the Fair Work Commission, Australia's workplace tribunal, in an effort to resolve the standoff.
