ABC backtracks on refusal to allow ACTU secretary Sally McManus to speak at Ultimo HQ

The ABC has backtracked on its refusal to allow ACTU secretary Sally McManus to speak at its Ultimo headquarters tomorrow.

ACTU secretary Sally McManus during an ACTU rally through the streets of Melbourne. Picture: Aaron Francis

Criticism from ACTU secretary Sally McManus has prompted the ABC to backtrack on its refusal to allow her to speak at ABC’s Ultimo headquarters tomorrow.

Ms McManus called out the ABC’s decision on Twitter yesterday, tweeting “The (ABC) being the first employer in the country to say no to me being allowed on their premises to talk to employees would say a lot about the culture and attitude of some in management.”

ABC section secretary for the CPSU, Sinddy Ealy, told Fairfax media that delegates wrote to ABC management to book a room for the event five weeks ago, and their request was denied.

“Management wrote back and offered a room but refused to let Sally in,” Ms Ealy said.

The broadcaster gave in earlier today after multiple tweets from the union secretary.

An ABC spokeswoman told Fairfax media that the public broadcaster was yet to make a decision, and later said that Ms McManus could attend “on a date to be confirmed.”

“Many (workplaces) are proud to give me a tour and a rundown of their workplace,” Ms McManus said, “a tour would not be necessary in this case, as I have visited the ABC at Ultimo many, many times … This makes the decision even more bizarre.”

Ms McManus, who said she would show up whether permission was granted or not, tweeted that she is glad “the misunderstanding with ABC management … has been cleared up.”

She will address ABC staff about ACTU’s national Change the Rules campaign, which promotes substantial change to Australia’s industrial relations laws that, if successful, will boost union power.