‘Industrial action began this morning’: Nine journalists prepare to walk out as Olympics begin
Nine journalists are still set to strike from tomorrow, but are open to meet again if management is willing.
Mark Phillips, MEAA’s communications director, confirmed this with Mumbrella this morning.
“MEAA representatives met with Nine management yesterday and are willing to meet again today if management wants to,” Phillips said.
“The ball is in management’s court to make an improved offer to staff that addresses not only pay, but workplace diversity, the use of AI and the conditions under which freelancers are employed.
“Industrial action began this morning with members taking protected action by using social media to inform readers about the EBA deadlock.
“At this stage, there has been no change to plans to begin a five day strike at 11am tomorrow. Rallies are being planned outside each of Nine’s offices in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Perth at the same time as members walk off the job.”
Mumbrella has reached out to Nine for a response.
Last Friday, the Media, Entertainment and Arts Alliance threatened that union members would go through with the strike if an adequate deal with management could not be reached.
The action was launched, in part, as a response to news that Nine will axe between 70 and 90 roles from the publishing division, impacting the newsrooms of the Sydney Morning Herald, The Age, The Australian Financial Review, Brisbane Times, and WAtoday.
The strike was overwhelmingly approved by MEAA members, with over 90% supporting the action during a protected action ballot last Friday.
In a statement prior to the meeting, the MEAA said the media giant needs to invest in its editorial front line ahead of its financial bottom line.
“The company’s pay offer fails to acknowledge cost of living pressures and management has not dealt with other claims from journalists, including a genuine commitment to better workplace gender and cultural diversity, improvements to grade progression and protection through consultation in relation to AI.
“The decision to go on strike was not made lightly as an event like the Olympics only comes along once every four years. Members regret the disruption the industrial action may cause.”
This is the latest stoush between Nine Publishing journalists and the network, with union members passing a motion of no confidence in CEO Mike Sneesby following the aforementioned job cuts.
After those cuts were announced, managing director of Nine Publishing, Tory Maguire, told her staff: “This is the first time we have had to take headcount out of editorial since 2017, which is an extraordinary anomaly when you look at other news publishers around the country and the rest of the world.”
2017 was also the last time Nine/Fairfax journalists walked off the job, a fact that can’t have escaped Maguire’s notice.
Speaking of Sneesby, he was last seen carrying an Olympic torch through a quaint French village. Must be very nice.
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Nathan Jolly is the Features Editor at Mumbrella. He joined the team in July, 2023.
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Well played 👏
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They should fire the lot of them – disgraceful conduct by the union when journalist are needed most. Shame on evey one of them who strikes
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impeccable timing from the ninefax engine room. perfect way to ruin a French torch relay appearance and exactly the action they should be taking.
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