Nine’s CEO says he’s ‘profoundly disappointed’ following staff walk out over pay dispute

Nine Entertainment’s chief executive officer has lashed out at journalists who have chosen to walk off the job — but has assured Olympic coverage won’t be affected by the strike. In an email sent to staff on Friday morning Nine CEO Mike Sneesby said he’s “profoundly disappointed” by the industrial action at the company, with journalists from The Sydney Morning Herald, The Age, The Australian Financial Review, Brisbane Times and Watoday are expected to walk off the job from 11am on Friday morning over a pay dispute. “It goes without saying we’re profoundly disappointed by this decision as we have offered a new and improved agreement yesterday and were negotiating in good faith to a constructive outcome,” the email, seen by NewsWire, read. “While we recognise the right of unions to take industrial action, Tory and I firmly believe a return to the negotiating table is the best pathway to progressing the EBA.” The action has “regrettably” come the night before the 2024 Paris Olympics are set to kick off, with the media giant having paid a staggering $305m for the exclusive rights for the next five Olympic games, including Paris 2024 and Brisbane 2032. Despite the strike, Mr Sneesby has claimed he remains “confident” the coverage will be “comprehensive” and “world-class”. “We have invested significantly to bring unrivalled coverage of the 2024 Games to our valued audiences through Nine’s world-leading journalism,” he wrote. “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.” Media, Entertainment and Arts Alliance union members from Nine’s publishing division demanded a 20 per cent pay rise over three years, however Nine reportedly offered a raise of 10.5 per cent, nearly half the staff’s demand. It comes a month after Mr Sneesby announced the company would carry out between 70 and 90 redundancies. Mr Sneesby added he’s committed to “continuing to work in good faith with the MEEA and bargaining committees to deliver a new agreement that is fair and supports a sustainable future for the Publishing business”. Mr Sneesby reportedly left staff outraged after footage emerged of him carrying the Olympic torch and wandering around France. Staff members were found sporting t-shirts of Mr Sneesby holding the Olympic torch accompanied by the words “don’t torch journalism”. Rallies will be held outside Nine Publishing offices in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Perth on Friday morning, with MEAA acting director Michelle Rae saying Nine’s latest offer still fails to include a fair pay rise given cost of living pressures. “Journalists at Nine Publishing are taking a stand for newsrooms that reflect the diversity of the communities they are reporting for, for ethical and transparent use of Artificial Intelligence, and for better wages,” she said. “Journalists are asking for a modest pay rise in line with CPI; nothing more and nothing less. Nine needs to put its editorial frontline ahead of its shareholder bottom line. “MEAA members’ message to Nine CEO Mike Sneesby is don’t torch journalism.”