Latest news with #FairWorkAct
Sky News AU
8 hours ago
- Business
- Sky News AU
Play School worker sues ABC via MEAA for allegedly forcing workers onto multiple fixed-term contracts
A producer on the ABC's children's program Play School is suing the public broadcaster for allegedly forcing the worker into multiple short fixed-term contracts in a move that offers little long-term job security. The Media, Entertainment & Arts Alliance is pursuing the case on behalf of Tom Scott, according to the Sydney Morning Herald, with the public broadcaster accused of overusing the fixed-term contracts. The union argues the broadcaster's decision to put Mr Scott on a third contract violated the Fair Work Act and sought to remove the termination date from his contract. 'The unfair use of short-term contracts has been growing at the ABC, seemingly as a means for management to push the budgetary risk of funding cuts onto the staff,' a statement from a spokesperson at the ABC MEAA House Committee read. 'ABC staff employed under insecure arrangements cannot be expected to perform their roles without fear or favour, build sustainable careers, or stand up for their rights in the workplace without concerns over potential reprisal. 'Women and staff from diverse backgrounds are particularly impacted by the risks of insecure jobs, which we fear worsens issues like pay gaps, and bullying issues in our workplace. 'Staff who have worked hard for the ABC over multiple years or projects have a right to secure ongoing employment that affords them the security to do their jobs well for the public they serve.' The case follows an overhaul of the Fair Work Act in 2023 which banned more than two successive fixed-term contracts or a single fixed-term contract that lasts longer than two years. MEAA Chief Executive Erin Madeley said the lack of job security in the media and creative industries showed senior staffers were shifting risk onto workers. 'MEAA members are pushing back and using laws passed by the Labor Government to fix this,' Ms Madeley said. 'Of all employers, the ABC as the nation's publicly funded broadcaster should recognise the need to respect workers and model appropriate employment standards. 'Unfortunately, the abuse of fixed-term contracting is an issue across creative industries and the economy more broadly. 'Australia needs a thriving cultural sector in which workers can have sustainable jobs. 'We are drawing a line and standing up for secure jobs across our industries.' The ABC refused to provide comment on the case.
The Age
15 hours ago
- The Age
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.
Sydney Morning Herald
15 hours ago
- Sydney Morning Herald
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.
Sydney Morning Herald
24-05-2025
- Business
- Sydney Morning Herald
Unholy workplace row brewing in state's Catholic schools
A messy workplace dispute is brewing between teachers at Victoria's Catholic schools and their employers, with the educators' union threatening Fair Work action to enable its members to take industrial action. A militant mood among the state's government school teachers has spread to the 30,000 educators at Victorian Catholic schools, whose wages lag behind their interstate counterparts by up to $10,000 a year. The vast majority of Catholic teachers surveyed by the union said they were ready to walk off the job for better pay and conditions, raising the prospect of school strikes. But a sector-wide strike by Catholic teachers is not a current option because the 30,000 educators are employed by 33 separate church-linked entities, ranging in size from the giant Diocese of Melbourne to single-site employers. Even before wage talks get officially under way, the teachers' union and the Victorian Catholic Education Authority disagree sharply about the framework for negotiations. Loading Despite terms and conditions being uniform across the sector, the complex structure means that the Catholic teachers are not regarded under the Fair Work Act as a single workforce and are denied the right to strike. This is different to the 52,000 teachers in Victoria's government schools, whose pay is broadly on par with their Catholic counterparts and whose union, the Australian Education Union, is warning that members could walk off the job as they pursue a pay claim that might worth up to 14 per cent in the first year. The Independent Education Union says the Victorian Catholic Education Authority – the Catholic schools' employers umbrella group – could consent to a 'single entity' bargaining process, granting the teachers the same industrial rights as their government school counterparts. But the authority, uniquely among the states and territories, has refused.
The Age
24-05-2025
- Business
- The Age
Unholy workplace row brewing in state's Catholic schools
A messy workplace dispute is brewing between teachers at Victoria's Catholic schools and their employers, with the educators' union threatening Fair Work action to enable its members to take industrial action. A militant mood among the state's government school teachers has spread to the 30,000 educators at Victorian Catholic schools, whose wages lag behind their interstate counterparts by up to $10,000 a year. The vast majority of Catholic teachers surveyed by the union said they were ready to walk off the job for better pay and conditions, raising the prospect of school strikes. But a sector-wide strike by Catholic teachers is not a current option because the 30,000 educators are employed by 33 separate church-linked entities, ranging in size from the giant Diocese of Melbourne to single-site employers. Even before wage talks get officially under way, the teachers' union and the Victorian Catholic Education Authority disagree sharply about the framework for negotiations. Loading Despite terms and conditions being uniform across the sector, the complex structure means that the Catholic teachers are not regarded under the Fair Work Act as a single workforce and are denied the right to strike. This is different to the 52,000 teachers in Victoria's government schools, whose pay is broadly on par with their Catholic counterparts and whose union, the Australian Education Union, is warning that members could walk off the job as they pursue a pay claim that might worth up to 14 per cent in the first year. The Independent Education Union says the Victorian Catholic Education Authority – the Catholic schools' employers umbrella group – could consent to a 'single entity' bargaining process, granting the teachers the same industrial rights as their government school counterparts. But the authority, uniquely among the states and territories, has refused.
