Newspaper reporters strike over pay as Olympics loom

Media, Entertainment and Arts Alliance members from The Sydney Morning Herald, The Age, The Australian Financial Review, the Brisbane Times and WAtoday will walk off the job from 11am AEST.

Editorial workers at Nine Publishing mastheads will be on strike from 11am AEST tomorrow.— MEAA (@withMEAA) We want a pay rise in line with CPI, a commitment to workplace diversity, safeguards around AI and a fair deal for freelancers. #MEAAmedia #DontTorchJournalism pic.twitter.com/LwP3k3FmS8July 25, 2024

After months-long negotiations, union members voted to reject the company's latest offer, saying it "fails to include a fair pay rise that keeps ahead of the cost of living".

Union official Michelle Rae said Nine journalists were being asked to do more for less. 

"Journalists have asked for a modest wage increase in line with the CPI after foregoing any pay rise during COVID and at a time when the company is making record profits," she said.

Nine in June confirmed it would cut 200 roles, or about four per cent of its almost 5000 staff - a decision it attributed to the loss of a lucrative content deal with Meta and a slump in advertising.

"It's totally unacceptable the company is asking workers to make a choice between a modest pay rise and the possibility of more job cuts," Ms Rae said.

The strike will include the opening weekend of the Paris Olympics. Nine has sent a large contingent of staff to cover the event, having paid a reported $305 million for the broadcast rights to the next five Games.

In a statement, Nine defended its latest proposal as a fair and reasonable offer and said comprehensive plans were in place to ensure coverage of the Paris Olympics.

"Nine recognises the rights of unions to take industrial action but believe that a return to the negotiating table is the best way to progress the EBA," a company spokesperson told AAP.