Key Details of the Proposed Pay Deal
The two unions representing staff at the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) are nearing a final agreement on a pay deal with managing director Hugh Marks. This development could potentially end the industrial action that led to the first strike at the ABC in 20 years. The agreement was reached following a session mediated by the Fair Work Commission on Monday.
The new proposal includes a 10.5 per cent pay increase over three years, with a 4 per cent raise in the first year, which will be backdated to October 1, 2025. This is an improvement from the previous offer, which included a 3.5 per cent increase in the first year and a total of 10 per cent over three years. The revised offer surpasses current inflation figures, making it more favorable for employees.
The unions and the ABC’s chief people officer, Deena Amorelli, announced the updated offer to staff on Tuesday afternoon. Amorelli stated that the proposal had been “endorsed by all bargaining representatives, including union delegates from both the CPSU and MEAA.”
While the Media, Entertainment & Arts Alliance (MEAA) has not formally endorsed the offer, its representatives indicated that their delegates would recommend members accept it. Meanwhile, the Community and Public Sector Union (CPSU) bargaining committee unanimously supported the offer to its members.
It is rare for union members to reject an offer that their bargaining delegates have recommended they accept. Both unions will meet with their members this week to discuss the revised offer and then hold a vote on whether to accept it.
Additional Benefits Included in the Offer
In addition to the pay increases, the offer also includes improvements to automatic pay progression for ABC staff, as well as enhanced leave entitlements. These changes aim to provide better long-term career development opportunities for employees.
Hugh Marks, the managing director, highlighted that the agreement on pay progression marks the beginning of a broader initiative to demonstrate how employees can succeed and grow within the ABC. However, he acknowledged that there is still “a lot more work to do over time.”
Marks praised the collaborative spirit shown during the negotiations and commended the commissioner for their role in facilitating the discussion.
Michael Slezak, the federal president of the MEAA and an ABC journalist, described the updated offer as a “huge improvement.” He noted that while the deal does not fully address all the concerns raised by the union, it tackles long-standing structural issues at the ABC that have been a source of frustration for staff and union members.
Slezak added that although the offer may not go as far as the MEAA would like, it is expected to make a meaningful difference in the lives of many ABC employees. He emphasized that the final decision on whether to accept the offer rests with the members.
Strong Support from Unions
Jocelyn Gammie, the section secretary for the CPSU’s ABC division, called the improvements a “major win.” She credited the outcome to the collective strength of the members, who refused to settle for less than what they deserved. Gammie encouraged members to support the offer, noting that the bargaining committee had unanimously endorsed it.
The proposed deal comes just days after approximately 2000 union members walked off the job following the rejection of the ABC’s previous pay offer. This strike disrupted many of the ABC’s broadcast and digital services for 24 hours.
If accepted, the deal would prevent future strike actions from ABC staff. However, the MEAA has already begun exploring potential future industrial actions, including stop-work actions lasting up to a week during the federal budget in May.
