ABC journalists announce historic 24-hour strike over pay and job security

Journalists at Australia's national broadcaster, the ABC, will stage a 24-hour strike from Wednesday at 11am. The walkout follows a rejected pay offer and marks the first strike by ABC journalists in years. Staff voted overwhelmingly against the deal, with 60% opposing it.

The Media, Entertainment & Arts Alliance (MEAA) union organised the ballot, which saw 90% of voting members back the strike. Workers cited a pay rise below inflation as a key issue. Other concerns included insecure contracts, night-shift penalty rates, reproductive health leave, and fears over AI replacing jobs.

ABC management's latest offer, made on Monday, failed to address these worries. The proposal included limited job security and did not resolve ongoing issues with contract stability. While non-media staff struck in 2023, this is the first time journalists have taken such action. The strike is set to disrupt live broadcasts on television and radio. Over 4,400 people work at the ABC, with around 2,000 in news—the broadcaster's largest division. The ABC remains one of Australia's most-visited websites, ranking 11th nationally, ahead of Netflix.

The 24-hour stoppage will begin at 11am on Wednesday, affecting key ABC services. With staff demanding fairer pay and better conditions, the strike highlights ongoing tensions over job security and working standards. The outcome could influence future negotiations between the union and management.