ABC Staff Strike: Protesting Pay & Job Security

0:00It's March 25th. This is Adelaide News Today, driven by AI, ABC staff lost their first major strike in nearly 20 years, walking off the job for 24 hours starting at 11 a.m. Australian. Eastern daylight time on Wednesday. Thousands of workers are protesting short-term contracts, limited career pass, and a pay offer that falls below inflation rates. Programming took a big hit right away, with the main news channel relying on BBC World News all day. The 7 p.m. news bulletin got swapped for a rerun of Australian story, and the flagship 730 current affairs show made way for hard quiz. Repeats. News breakfast won't air on Thursday either. Staff shared their frustrations on air before the walk out, highlighting demands for pay that keeps up with living costs, better job security, nice shift penalties, reproductive health leave, and clearer rules on artificial intelligence use. Officers drew crowds outside ABC offices in cities like Melbourne and Sydney.

1:02Unions like the community and public sector union, and the media, entertainment, and arts alliance say the broadcaster needs to value its role in. Australian storytelling. ABC leaders counter that their offer is financially sustainable, noting most of their over 4,400 employees, more than 90, percent are permanent with average 10 years three times the national norm. Emergency broadcast stayed online, but the action underscores ongoing tensions and talks that could shape the future of public media here.