FED: ABC staff walk off the job

AAP General News (Australia)
12-05-2000
FED: ABC staff walk off the job

ABC staff around Australia have walked off the job in protest against management's
decision to axe core programs and sack a high-profile staff member.

Staff members at meetings around Australia voted in favour of industrial action, claiming
managing director JONATHAN SHIER can't guarantee the independence and non-commercial character
of the ABC.

Staff -- who last week moved a vote of no-confidence in Mr SHIER -- say he also refuses
to guarantee a halt to staff cuts while the changes are discussed with staff and unions.

In Sydney, 550 ABC staffers vented their frustration at Mr SHIER'S refusal to consult
staff over planned changes.

Sacked Media Watch presenter PAUL BARRY attended the meeting and was applauded by staff
who later resolved not to co-operate with his replacement.

Mr BARRY told those assembled the industrial action was not about him, but the editorial
integrity and independence of the ABC.

During today's stopwork meetings both ABC radio and television took their midday news
broadcasts off the air.

Staff will picket the ABC board meeting in Sydney tomorrow morning before returning
to work at midday.

AAP RTV nd/sb/hn/jn

KEYWORD: ABC STRIKE (SYDNEY)

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