ABC staffers to strike on Wednesday
Hugh Marks at the ABC's 2026 showcase
ABC staff have voted to strike on Wednesday, which will mark the first major industrial action taken by the national broadcaster’s employees in 20 years.
The ABC’s chief people officer, Deena Amorelli, sent an all-staff email on Monday morning, that said 60% of voting unionised staff had rejected a 10% pay rise over three years, plus a $1,000 bonus on top. The MEAA disputes this percentage, issuing a release that said over 90% of staff voted in favour of strike action.
The 24-hour stoppage will start at 11am on Wednesday.
Amorelli said in her email that the ABC “will now make an application to the Fair Work Commission to assist with resolving bargaining.”
The most recent offer put to staff involved a 3.5% per cent raise in the first year, with subsequent 3.25% rises over the next two years, plus 16 weeks of parental leave for supporting partners, and more annual sick leave.
Media, Entertainment and Arts Alliance CEO, Erin Madeley, said in a statement the ABC staffers were brave for standing up to management “but they should never have been pushed to this point”.
“ABC staff are taking this step because they want fair pay that keeps up with the cost of living, genuine job security, and working conditions that allow them to continue serving the Australian public with integrity.
“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.
“This isn’t just a workforce issue. When skilled, experienced staff are forced out, communities lose trusted local voices, particularly in regional Australia where the ABC is often the only local newsroom.”
Madeley said the MEAA is calling on ABC management to work with the union on a better offer.
“ABC staff don’t want to strike – they want to do their jobs,” she said.
“They want fair pay, secure work, and guardrails around the use of technologies like AI to protect editorial integrity and public trust.
“Investing in the people behind the ABC is essential to protecting a public broadcaster that belongs to all Australians.”
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Let me get this straight.
The ABC staff, when thousands of people are being laid off, taxes are higher than ever, pay rises are not coming through, we’re facing fuel shortages and inflation rampant, want the taxpayer to fork out even more money for them to take their above average wages?
Tell them they’re bloody dreaming!
ABC staff also face those challenges of higher costs of living.
If you think ABC staff get overpaid, look at the enterprise agreement. They are fixed bands and not even close to what someone in the private sector would be paid.
Public servant wages are important if you want taleng and a strong public service. That includes the ABC and its charter to broadcast including emergency broadcasting.
This case has been in progress for over a year. It doesn’t just cease because of external global factors.
NEWSFLASH ABC STAFF
Most of people in the private sector would be absolutely delighted to have a 10% pay rise over the course of three years, 16 weeks parental leave and additional sick leave!
They wouldn’t need to go on strike if they hadn’t signed away the international streaming and worldwide merchandise rights to Bluey to the BBC.
Multi billion dollar blunder there guys.