Members of the MEAA, CPSU and ETU will take protected industrial action at Arts Centre Melbourne on Thursday night, disrupting a performance as wage negotiations continue.
The action follows a vote by MEAA, CPSU and ETU members involved in enterprise bargaining negotiations over a new agreement at Arts Centre Melbourne.
The unions say the pay offer currently on the table would leave wages continuing to fall behind inflation, adding to concerns about the purchasing power of workers covered by the agreement.
They also say many members are now on minimum award wages, while the Arts Centre Melbourne chief executive receives annual remuneration of more than $400,000.
The first action is scheduled for 7.10pm on Thursday, August 13, when MEAA and CPSU members will walk off for 20 minutes, with the action expected to delay a show.
Union members have been asked to gather at Hamer Hall from 6.45pm to support those taking part in the industrial action.
The action comes as arts and media workers continue to confront disputes over wages, conditions and the rising cost of living.
MEAA members working across the arts have previously supported media workers during industrial action at the ABC and The Age/AFR.
The union is now asking members to return that support by joining the gathering outside Hamer Hall before Thursday night’s action.
The action will put the enterprise bargaining dispute in front of audiences at one of Melbourne’s best-known cultural venues, rather than keeping the disagreement confined to negotiations between unions and management.
