Neighbours crew to begin industrial action

Production crew working on Neighbours will take their first industrial action on Friday as part of their campaign for a collective agreement with FremantleMedia Australia.

Crew union, the Media, Entertainment & Arts Alliance, who comprise about half of the production workforce, will hold a 15 minute stop-work meeting this Friday to show they are serious about their concerns.

The action stems from stalled negotiations for an Enterprise Bargaining Agreement pertaining to pay increase, security of employment and proposed cuts to sick pay.

Louise Connor, the Victoria branch secretary of MEAA, said in a statement, “Fremantle (FMA) wrote to employees last week outlining the full range of their industrial responses, pointing out that, ‘FMA has the right to consider locking (the workers taking action) out of the Nunawading site immediately.’

“Our members will hold a symbolic action on Friday, and, yes, Fremantle can lock people out indefinitely but that’s like turning the industrial dial up to 11. It’s a gross overreaction to what most people would consider a request for basic workplace rights.

“We are asking that the commitment shown by a skilled and dedicated workforce is recognised in the form of basic job security and a modest annual pay rise.”

A Spokesperson from FMA said in a statement, “FremantleMedia Australia (FMA) can not agree to the unreasonable demands of the MEAA without jeopardizing the future of the program. This strike action will only cause disruption and unrest, and not bring about any change in FMA’s position.

“FMA will take all measures possible to ensure there is as little disruption to the production as possible, and staff accordingly. Uninterrupted delivery of episodes to Eleven and Five will continue.

“The MEAA, who represent only a minority of crew, are compromising the name and reputation of all, as well as the program.

“It’s unfortunate that the voice of a minority can overshadow the majority opinion of the crew.

“FMA will do everything it can to protect the future of Neighbours and the security of the work it provides cast and crew. FMA remains fully engaged in the EBA discussions with the intention of having a vote on the EBA within weeks.”