ABC management has declined to rule out potential disciplinary measures against a journalist and union official following the publication of an opinion piece in the Australian Financial Review, according to the Media Entertainment and Arts Alliance. Michael Slezak, an award-winning climate reporter and the federal president of the media union's federal division, wrote the article last week in his capacity as a union representative.
The piece addressed a proposal by the Australian Securities and Investments Commission to limit journalists' access to certain corporate director details, a policy the union actively opposes. Following its publication, Slezak was summoned to a meeting with the newly appointed ABC director of news, Simon Robinson, and the head of digital and national news, Lee Glendinning, to review compliance with the broadcaster's external work policy.
In a communication sent to union members, the MEAA asserted that Slezak was being unfairly targeted for advocating for press freedom in his elected union role. The union stated that management brought up potential violations of the external work policy and code of conduct during the discussion, explicitly declining to dismiss the possibility of disciplinary consequences up to termination.
According to the MEAA, Slezak was not required to seek prior approval for the piece because an existing agreement permits him to make public comments on behalf of journalists in his union capacity. An open letter signed by nearly 200 ABC union members by Monday afternoon called on top executives to guarantee that Slezak will face no penalty, characterizing the situation as an assault on collective workplace rights and union representation.
A spokesperson for the Australian Broadcasting Corporation maintained that the organization's guidelines on public commentary and external work are crucial for safeguarding the broadcaster's standing. The representative added that the director of news is meeting with personnel to ensure proper understanding and consistent enforcement of these standards.
Tensions between union staff and leadership have already been strained following a 24-hour strike involving more than 2,000 employees that disrupted broadcast and digital operations. Union members are scheduled to convene to determine their next joint response to the ongoing situation.