ABC public sector staff vow to go ahead with strike action

A key public sector union organising the strike on Wednesday has participants to wear red and come to the office even if they work remotely because no one would notice if they went on strike at home.

The ABC could be hit by disruptions on Wednesday after a key public sector union vowed to go ahead with industrial stoppages - and even told its staff who work from home to come in to strike because nobody would notice if they stayed at home.

That’s despite the other key ABC union - the Media Entertainment and Arts Alliance - pulling out of planned action at the 11th hour, after management folded to their demands late Tuesday.

ABC staff members of the Community and Public Sector Union will go ahead with plans to strike for one hour at 7am and 3pm on Wednesday in NSW and Victoria, and at 6am and 2pm in Queensland.

It’s the first strike in more than 15 years and there are fears it could affect television and radio broadcasting.

The CPSU bosses also made a bizarre request for their members who work from home to come into ABC offices especially for the industrial action.

ABC staff who are members of the Community and Public Sector Union will strike on Wednesday. Picture: NCA NewsWire

“Come into the office on Wednesday and wear RED so that union members are visible,” the CPSU note to members stated.

“Taking action if working from home is less likely to be noticed or effective. Attached signage can also be displayed in workplace too.”

One ABC media insider described it as “Very Monty Python – we need to come into work to go on strike”.

But the MEAA called off their strike of its members after ABC bosses capitulated to demands for the union to be involved in drafting a new enterprise agreement, and a $1500 sign-on bonus, a new 11 per cent pay deal over three years, backdated to October last year and demands for an audit of a claimed “gender and CALD pay gap”.

It claimed the threat of industrial disruption had “helped focus ABC’s management’s mind”.

ABC managing director David Anderson became directly involved in negotiations with the unions to avert the planned stop work action.

MEAA media director Cassie Derrick said the ABC bosses were given a 3pm deadline to agree to the involvement of the unions in the drafting of a new enterprise bargaining agreement.

ABC Managing Director David Anderson. Picture: Morgan Sette

“The new offer provides pay rises totalling 11 per cent over three years, backdated to October 1 last year, plus a $1500 sign on bonus,” she said.

“Management has also agreed to conduct a transparent audit of the gender and CALD pay gap, to fix the broken buyout system, and to put in place a new pathway for career progression for early and mid-career journalists.

“It was a turning point to have Managing Director David Anderson directly involved in negotiations after management stonewalled for months.”

The unions had argued staff “workloads are out of control” and that ABC management wouldn’t increase wages to match inflation.

They demanded better career progression for regional staff and “action on racism and sexism in the workplace at the ABC”.

“This has never been just about pay,” Ms Derrick said.

“It’s about ensuring a fair go at forging a career at the public broadcaster.

“The public need and deserve an ABC that is diverse, fair and equal. It must invest in a workforce that is supported and have sustainable careers in the cities and the regions and for people from diverse backgrounds and women.”

Many ABC staff have access to “hybrid” working arrangements where they can work from home if they wish, with management promising to continue the arrangements.