Journalists employed by Nine Publishing have “overwhelmingly” voted in favour of going on strike on Friday – the first day of Nine’s coverage of the Paris Olympics – if the company is unable to reach a deal on a new enterprise bargaining agreement.
The Media Entertainment & Arts Alliance (MEAA) say the decision to take action follows Nine’s refusal to deliver a fair that delivers a better-than-CPI increase, diversity pay audit and quotas, protection against the use of AI, and adherence to the MEAA freelance charter of rights.
Journalists at the Sydney Morning Herald, The Age, The Australian Financial Review, Brisbane Times and WAtoday have today voted to stop work for five days, including the opening weekend of the Paris Olympic Games.
The decision was made by members of the MEAA in meetings around the country, after a protected action ballot had over 90% support for strike action.
The MEAA states: “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.
“These mastheads are strong financial performers, and have a reputation for award-winning journalism, and Nine needs to invest in its editorial front line ahead of its financial bottom line.
“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. We urge management of Nine Publishing to resolve the issues in the bargaining meeting on Wednesday.”
Nine’s managing director and CEO, Mike Sneesby, was seen carrying the Olympic torch just hours after Nine Publishing voted in favour of a strike.
The Sydney Morning Herald reports that Sneesby smiled and waved at locals in Massy, about 16 km outside Paris on Monday afternoon (Paris time). He was reportedly led into a Place de France to finish his leg of the relay and lit the torch of the next bearer, being “whisked away” after the event without fronting the media.
Following the announcement of 200 job cuts at Nine in June, MEAA members at Nine Publishing passed a resounding vote of no confidence in Sneesby in early July.
In his first media interview since chairman Peter Costello resigned after an altercation with a News Corp journalist, Sneesby told the AFR that the network will bank $135 million in advertising revenue for the Paris Olympics, and insists it will turn a profit.
Nine spent $305 million to acquire the Olympic rights from Seven, and have broadcasting rights from Paris in 2024 through to Brisbane in 2032.
Sneesby’s confidence in Nine’s profit from the Olympics comes as The Australian also reports Nine is facing a “Games blowout.”
The News Corp masthead reported that the company is staring at a potential $60 million loss from its Paris Olympics broadcast.
Several sources told The Australian that Nine’s total Games costs come to at least $120 million – including $100 million on its broadcast deal with the Internal Olympic Committee plus $20 million “or more” in production costs.