The CEO of Nine Entertainment condemned the journalists who chose to strike, but assured that the strike would not affect Olympic coverage.
Nine CEO Mike Sneesby said in an email to staff on Friday morning that he was “deeply disappointed” with the company's industrial actions, which was picked up by reporters in The Sydney Morning Herald, The Age, The Australian Financial Review, Brisbane Times and Watoday. The strike is expected to begin at 11 a.m. on Friday over a wage dispute.
“It goes without saying that we are deeply disappointed in this decision, as we proposed a new and improved contract yesterday and have been negotiating in good faith for a constructive outcome,” the email, seen by NewsWire, read.
“While we recognise the union’s right to take industrial action, Troy and I firmly believe that returning to the negotiating table is the best way to move the EBA forward.”
The move comes “regrettably” on the eve of the 2024 Paris Olympics, with the media giant paying a whopping $305 million for exclusive broadcast rights to five future Olympics, including Paris 2024 and Brisbane 2032.
Despite the strike, Mr Snisby insisted he was “confident” that the insurance coverage would be “comprehensive” and “world class”.
He wrote: “We have made significant investments to provide our valued audience with unrivalled coverage of the 2024 Olympic Games through Nine’s world-class journalism.”
“We have tried to avoid industrial strikes, but we have prepared for the possibility of a prolonged industrial strike.
“We are well positioned to produce and distribute the masthead for our loyal readers. Our editorial team will provide our audience with seamless access to the best reporting, allowing them to see the news they want, when they want, as it happens in Paris.”
Union members of the Media, Entertainment and Arts Federation at Nine Publishing have been demanding a 20 per cent pay rise over three years, but Nine is said to have offered a 10.5 per cent raise, nearly half of what the workers were demanding.
The move comes a month after Mr. Snisby announced the company would lay off 70 to 90 workers.
Mr Snisby added: “We will continue to work in good faith with MEEA and the Negotiating Committee to deliver a new agreement that is fair and supports a sustainable future for the publishing industry.”
Mr Snisby reportedly angered staff when footage emerged of him touring France carrying the Olympic torch.
The staff were found wearing Mr Snisby's T-shirt carrying the Olympic torch, which had the words “Stop Burning the Press” written on it.
Protests are planned outside Nine Publishing offices in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Perth on Friday morning. MEAA acting director Michelle Ray said Nine’s latest proposal still did not include a fair wage increase to account for cost of living pressures.
“Journalists at Nine Publishing are taking a stand for newsrooms that reflect the diversity of the communities they report on, ethical and transparent use of AI, and better pay,” she said.
“Journalists are demanding a modest pay rise in line with the CPI, nothing more, nothing less. Nine must put its editorial front ahead of the bottom line of shareholders.
“The message from MEAA members to Nine CEO Mike Sneesby is to stop burning journalism.”
More to come.
