ABC floats ‘impartiality’ clause in pay deal talks with staff
The proposal has been interpreted by unions as a move to prevent staff from speaking publicly on controversial issues following the Antoinette Lattouf matter.
ABC management has floated the idea of forcing staff to abide by an “impartiality obligation”, in a move interpreted by union representatives as an effort to prevent a repeat of the Antoinette Lattouf matter.
The idea was floated during recent pay negotiations between staff representatives and management at the ABC, according to people familiar with the negotiations, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss confidential information.
Negotiations kicked off in earnest in June after staff rejected a proposal made by ABC chief people and culture officer Deena Amorelli that included a 3% pay rise from October on the condition that staff commit to foregoing industrial action.
In the most recent round of negotiations, staff have pushed for annual pay rises of 5.5%, with the Media Entertainment and Arts Alliance (MEAA) — one of two unions representing staff at the ABC — still open to the length of the agreement.
