MEAA blasts News Corp: ‘The total lack of information and consultation is completely unacceptable’
The Media, Entertainment and Arts Alliance (MEAA) has called on News Corp Australia to “protect jobs and consult with staff ahead of a major proposed restructure and potential job losses at the company”.
Late last week, MEAA wrote directly to News Corp Australia executive chairman, Michael Miller, asking for “greater transparency on the company’s restructure and staff affected”.
The MEAA pointed out to Miller that “other media outlets were reporting on the restructure before staff were informed and often more detail is provided in the media reports than directly by management”.
A letter to members explained: “Staff shouldn’t have to find out who is affected by a restructure from competing publications before they do their own employer. The correspondence to Miller highlights the right of MEAA members to access to information about how the restructure will affect employment as well as the company’s duty to consult with its staff about cost-cutting measures.”
The letter to Miller outlined a number of significant concerns regarding News Corp’s recent restructuring, including lack of information and possible job losses.
“In recent announcements to staff, News Corp has raised the specter of significant cost cutting including the reorganisation of the companies’ divisions, major changes in reporting lines and reduction of staff numbers,” the letter reads. “This announcement was made to staff and then followed up with a complete lack of information of exactly how this would impact them.”
The letter pulls no punches, telling Miller: “Our members are completely in the dark as to their futures amid the worst cost-of-living crisis in recent memory”, and saying “the total lack of information and consultation is completely unacceptable to our members and entirely inconsistent with the company’s obligations to its staff.”
The MEAA is asking that Miller meets with them and the MEAA News Corp House Committee to engage in appropriate consultation, and brief editorial staff on the possible cost savings and impacts to their futures.
The union is requesting a written response by 5pm Friday June 20, reminding: “should News Corp continue to be derelict in its obligations to staff, MEAA members may be required to consider the taking of appropriate steps afforded to them under the Fair Work Act 2009.”
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Nathan Jolly is the Features Editor at Mumbrella. He joined the team in July, 2023.
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