Play School staffer sues the ABC over fixed-term contracts
A producer on Play School, one of the ABC's longest running programs, has sued the public broadcaster in the Federal Court, alleging it breached the Fair Work Act through multiple fixed-term contracts.
The case, brought by the Media, Entertainment & Arts Alliance (MEAA), was filed in the Federal Court on behalf of Tom Scott on Tuesday. Scott is a digital producer on the children's show, which has broadcast on ABC TV since 1966.
The case centres on the ABC's use of fixed-term contracts, which both the union and other staff at the broadcaster allege are overused and abused, leading to widespread job insecurity.
In a statement, the union said the national broadcaster had systematically forced employees into a series of fixed-term contracts, thereby breaching the Fair Work Act.
The case precedes upcoming bargaining negotiations between the ABC and union members on staff this year, with the use of fixed-term contracts said to be high on the agenda.
Scott has been employed by the ABC on three successive fixed term 'Run of Show' contracts to work as a digital producer on Play School, with each substantially consistent with the other contracts, according to documents filed with the Federal Court.
The Fair Work Act was overhauled at the end of 2023, banning more than two successive fixed-term contracts for similar positions, or a single fixed-term contract of more than two years. When overhauling employment laws, the government sought to bring an end to fixed-term contracts being used over and over again, which it said leads to job insecurity with employees effectively stuck on probation.
The MEAA said the court action followed failed attempts to resolve the issue between the union and ABC management. The union is seeking financial penalties, and a removal of the fixed term aspect of Scott's contract.
Several other ABC staffers have described the use of fixed-term contracts as a widespread issue within the ABC, leading to job insecurity and an unwillingness to speak up about internal issues like racism and bullying.
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