Nine Entertainment boss Mike Sneesby has hit out at striking journalists within the media group’s publishing division as five days of industrial action threatens to derail its much-hyped coverage of the Paris Olympic Games.
An email sent by the chief executive from the French capital to hundreds of union members preparing to walk off the job from 9am, WA time, on Friday said he was “profoundly disappointed”.
Mr Sneesby pointed out the strike “comes on the eve of one of the biggest news events on the planet”..
“We have invested significantly to bring unrivalled coverage of the 2024 Games to our valued audiences through Nine’s world-leading journalism,” Mr Sneesby said in the email.
“While we have endeavoured to avert the industrial action, we have been preparing for the prospect of prolonged industrial action.
“We are well positioned to ensure our mastheads are produced and distributed for our loyal readers. Our editorial teams will seamlessly deliver the best coverage for our audiences, so they have the news they want, when they want it and as it happens in Paris.”
Nine has paid $305m for the exclusive rights for the next five Olympic Games, including Paris 2024 and Brisbane 2032.
Mr Sneesby’s email comes just hours before the opening weekend of the Paris Games and after journalists across WA Today, the Sydney Morning Herald, The Age, the Australian Financial Review and The Brisbane Times rejected the latest enterprise bargaining offer from Nine.
Staff backed by the Media Entertainment and Arts Alliance have demanded a 20 per cent pay rise over three years.
On Monday union members “overwhelmingly” voted to strike for five days and protests are expected to be held outside the publications’ office across the country, including WA Today’s offices in St Georges Terrace.
The action comes just weeks after Nine said it would sack up to 200 staff across all divisions — including TV and print — amid crumbling advertising revenues.
It also comes just days after Mr Sneeby copped a barrage of criticism from staff for taking part in the Olympics torch rely through the streets of Paris as the MEAA called for management to come back to the bargaining table to do a deal and avert strike action.
Source Agencies
