ABC airs BBC programming after 24-hour staff strike

Insights

• More than 2,000 ABC staff across Australia walked off for 24 hours, disrupting TV, radio and digital services.
• At 11am the ABC News Channel switched to the BBC World Service and flagship news output was replaced by BBC content and repeats, with exemptions for emergency broadcasting.
• Staff say the dispute is over a pay offer of 10 percent over three years, workplace conditions, appraisal and career progression, night shift penalty rates and reproductive health leave.
• ABC managing director Hugh Marks said staff costs are 60 percent of the budget, warned higher pay could force job cuts, and changed the definition of emergency broadcasting to allow calling staff back for major events.
• Unions said bargaining has seen movement and confirmed staff would return for major events, and this is the ABC's first widespread strike in 20 years.