The rise in short-term or fixed contracts had been used by management to push the budgetary risk of funding cuts onto staff, a spokesperson from the ABCโs union house committee said in a statement provided to this masthead.
โABC 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,โ the statement says.
The MEAA said Scott was employed under three successive year-long, fixed-term contracts, classified as โSpecific Task, Run of Showโ. They will argue that the third contract is a contravention of the new limitations of the Fair Work Act.
One senior ABC newsroom staff member in Sydney who was on several fixed-term contracts before the law change said employees are often โstrung alongโ and told there is no room to make their employment permanent.
โItโs really impactful on peopleโs mental health,โ they said, not wanting to be identified over concerns of their future employment, while another unnamed employee said it impacts morale, particularly for those supporting a family.
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An independent review which found racism is systemic at the ABC last year found non-permanent contracts are particularly prevalent among First Nations and culturally diverse staff, with fear over losing permanent work often serving as a barrier to reporting instances of racism.
โWhen I was casual, there was no way I would raise an issue of racism. Shifts would be cut, and it has happened before. Being full-time, I am less fearful of calling something out,โ one unnamed respondent said in the report, led by Dr Terri Janke.
โWomen 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,โ the union house committee added on Wednesday.
The review team recommended that there be greater insight on casual work arrangements, or contracts that do not get renewed, particularly for First Nations or culturally diverse staff.
The rise of unstable and insecure work for media industry and creative workers represented a decision by employers and producers to shift the risk onto the backs of employees, MEAA chief executive Erin Madeley said.
โOf all employers, the ABC as the nationโs publicly funded broadcaster should recognise the need to respect workers and model appropriate employment standards.โ
The ABC did not comment in response to this mastheadโs questions about the case.
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