Employees at the Australian Broadcasting Corporation have voted in favour of a new enterprise agreement that will deliver a 10.5% pay rise over three years, bringing an end to months of tense negotiations and industrial action, as reported by HRD.
More than 90% of participating employees backed the deal, with a voter turnout of 70.6%. Under the agreement, staff will receive a 4% pay increase in the first year, followed by rises of 3.25% in each of the next two years.
The revised offer replaces the previously proposed AU$1,000 bonus and improves on the broadcaster’s earlier 3.5% first-year wage proposal.
The agreement follows mediation at the Fair Work Commission and comes after the ABC’s first major staff strike in two decades. More than 2,000 employees joined a 24-hour nationwide walkout in March, disrupting several flagship television and radio programmes.
Beyond pay increases, the deal introduces clearer career progression pathways, stronger diversity commitments and safeguards around the ethical use of artificial intelligence in the workplace.
The agreement is being viewed as a significant win for unions and employees seeking long-term protections as media organisations adapt to technological change.
"This is a tremendous victory for ABC staff who stood together and took courageous action to protect their livelihoods, their professions and the future of public broadcasting," said Erin Madeley, chief executive, Media, Entertainment & Arts Alliance.
"By withdrawing their labour, workers showed just how central they are to the ABC and to the quality independent journalism Australians rely on every day."
Hugh Marks, managing director, ABC said, "The broadcaster can now focus on future growth and collaboration following the agreement."
The deal is expected to stabilise workplace relations at the national broadcaster while supporting ongoing discussions around digital transformation, workforce sustainability and responsible AI adoption in media operations.