CPSU/MEAA – ABC
The ABC is putting its proposed agreement out to vote with the ballot opening last Friday (14/11). The proposed agreement includes a 3.5% wage increase in the first year and 3.25% increases in years 2 & 3. This is 1% more than the last offer rejected by staff. The MEAA has characterised the offer as “insulting” and that it fails to address job security and career progression as well as pay increases that don’t keep up with inflation.
It is believed the CPSU is feeling more favourable towards this deal than the MEAA. This is unsurprising given that 62% of CPSU members at the ABC voted in favour of the July proposed agreement which guaranteed a 3% pay rise from 1 October, with future pay increases to be negotiated; an agreement that there be no industrial action for 6 months and a safeguard that the ABC couldn’t put any agreement to a vote without union agreement. Stay tuned for updates. The MEAA have not ruled out industrial action.
Disputes Report is a weekly round-up of industrial disputes and news here in Australia. I started this project as a way of learning about what was happening in the labour movement and how workers were organising.
This will never be a complete record of disputes. I’m always eager to hear what I’ve missed, and what is going on in workplaces and unions around the country (and the world).
Sarah Missen
Nov 18
Industrial disputes & news – 19 November 2025
ANMF Vic – Thursday (20/11), ANMF members at Healthcope facilities will stop work for 4 hours. The workers are asking the community to support them at two rallies: one at the Melbourne Private Hospital (Royal Parade, Parkville) and one at the Geelong Clinic (98 Townsend Rd, St Albans Park). Both rallies will commence at 2pm. On Friday (14/11) the ANMF advised members that Healthscope was putting their proposed agreement out to a ballot without the ANMF’s agreement. The ANMF is advising members to vote no for a number of reasons, primarily that the proposed agreement does not achieve parity with public sector wages until July 2027, and then only for five months; and that the proposal includes the unfair salary packaging clause. If you’re in Melbourne or Geelong on Thursday afternoon, try to get along and support Healthscope nurses at their rallies.
AMWU/ETU NSW – Downer
Last Wednesday (12/11), AMWU & ETU members who work for Downer Engineering around Newcastle and the Hunter Valley commenced industrial action. Workers at sites including the Bayswater Power station, Port Waratah Coal Services, Kooragang Bulk Facilities and the Downer Haxham workshop have been taking 8 x 1-hour stoppages each day. 80% of workers rejected Downer’s last offer, and 95% endorsed taking industrial action.
CFMEU Vic – CSR Yarraville
Last week, CSR refused to pay workers at its Yarraville factory their wages after workers commenced industrial action. This follows 21 weeks of EBA negotiations which had stalled. After their wages were withheld, workers resolved to walk off the job indefinitely late on Friday night. Workers have been picketing the factory this week, and intend to keep fighting for 4% annual wage increases.