New enterprise agreement puts an end to months-long negotiations that led to a historic strike in March
Employees at the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) are set for a 10.5% increase in pay over three years after they voted to accept a new enterprise agreement from the broadcasting firm.
More than 90% of the 70.6% of ABC employees who participated in the vote for their latest enterprise agreement were in favour of the new deal.
Under the new offer, employees will receive a pay rise of 4% in the first year, followed by a 3.25% increase in the next two years.
The offer retracts the $1,000 bonus previously offered by the ABC, but the pay rise is higher than the initially proposed 3.5% increase in the first year.
The agreement followed a mediated session at the Fair Work Commission and put an end to a months-long negotiations that led to the first-ever strike at the ABC in 20 years.
The 24-hour strike involved more than 2,000 ABC workers nationwide, and prompted disruptions at the broadcaster's flagship TV and radio programs.
"This is a tremendous victory for ABC staff who stood together and took courageous action to protect their livelihoods, their professions and the future of public broadcasting," said Erin Madeley, chief executive of the Media, Entertainment & Arts Alliance (MEAA).
"By withdrawing their labour, workers showed just how central they are to the ABC and to the quality independent journalism Australians rely on every day."
According to MEAA, the agreement also delivers genuine classification progression to support sustainable careers, strengthened diversity, as well as clear guardrails to ensure the ethical use of artificial intelligence.
"These outcomes matter not just for workers, but for the public," Madeley said. "Secure, experienced and diverse staff are essential for an ABC that serves communities across Australia, especially in regional areas."
Meanwhile, ABC managing director Hugh Marks said the broadcaster is now in a position to confidently move forward in the next few years following the agreement.
"This represents an opportunity for the organisation to work more effectively across management, staff and staff representatives, including the unions, on a cohesive approach to the ABC of the future — a united and forward-looking organisation focused on serving all Australians," Marks said in a statement quoted by ABC News.
