ABC at loggerheads with union over new contract proposal

ABC bosses have angered union representatives by proposing new probation clauses in staff contracts in their latest bargaining offer, possibly pushing staff into the first strike action at the national broadcaster in nearly two decades.

Staff will vote Friday on whether to accept management’s latest enterprise bargaining agreement offer to staff, which is negotiated every three years. The proposal proposes a 10% wage increase over three years, with 3.5% in the first year and 3.25% in the second and third years.