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• ABC actors skip national pay strike
• Sales, Crabb request fans to support the podcast financially
• Union, employees criticize ‘game’ remarks by manager

Two of the ABC’s most prominent figures, Leigh Sales and Annabel Crabb, appeared to be too occupied to leave their jobs and participate in the picket line – or so it seemed when the ABC went on strike this week.

Highly compensated contractors working for the publicly funded network—Sales is reportedly earning $400,000 annually—and other celebrities such as Louise Milligan from Four Corners and Sabra Lane, the presenter of Weekend 7pm, opted to remain rather than leave.

Sales, the former 7.30 presenter, now hosts the weekly profile documentary Australian Story, while political commentator Crabb, who is said to earn $220,000 annually, continues to come up with new programs.

Over 1,000 ABC reporters and employees across the countryengaged in a 24-hour strike due to a disagreement regarding wages and working conditions.

They left on Wednesday following a majority decision to turn down the most recent wage proposal, which aimed to increase salaries by 10 percent over a three-year enterprise bargaining agreement.

However, although high-profile and well-compensated contractors such as The Radio National Hour presenter Fran Kelly and Late Night Live host David Marr were present, both wearing union t-shirts, their absence was evident.

When Kelly spoke at the Sydney strike rally at 11 a.m. on Wednesday outside the ABC’s Ultimo headquarters, hundreds of employees marched from the Southbank office in Melbourne, receiving applause from supporters.

Following the Sydney demonstration, striking employees gathered at the Lansdowne Hotel, which was not the nearest bar to the ABC’s Harris Street office.

As content from its British BBC equivalent was introduced to replace numerous local programs, ABC managing director Hugh Marks stated: “It is not an ideal time for our team to be away. There are many developments taking place in the world.”

He mentioned the continuing fuel shortage and conflicts in the Middle East as “issues of national significance” that require coverage.

On Thursday, shortly before the strike concluded, Marks stated that employees had viewed participating in industrial action as ‘something of a game,’ a remark that was met with backlash from ABC staff and union officials who called it ‘deeply offensive.’

I don’t believe this is just a game. I think it’s very serious,” Marks stated, “In the end, the ones who are suffering are our audience.

So, you understand, if they want the audience to endure more, naturally it’s their right to engage in protected strike action.

That’s their privilege, and we ought to acknowledge it. I believe respect is a crucial element when engaging in these conversations.

ABC employees concluded their strike at 11 a.m. on Thursday, although routine broadcasting on its radio and television networks required additional time to resume.

The channel’s viewers reportedly left ABC in large numbers during the strike, causing ratings to decline as a result.

Meanwhile, back at the headquarters, Sales and Crabb have urgently requested funds for their independent podcast, Chat 10 Look 3,The Australian reported. 

The podcast, which lasts up to an hour weekly with the well-known duo discussing their recent viewing, as well as their professional endeavors, family life, and motivations, has been ongoing for 12 years.

But now, Sales and Crabb have let their dedicated audience of approximately 100,000 know that “it’s costly to manage” and their full-time positions at the ABC no longer allow them the time to generate funds as they previously did through tours and merchandise.

“To maintain our electricity, we have to perform numerous live shows on weekends… but both of us have demanding careers, along with kids,” they shared with their podcast listeners.

To address the rising expenses of operating Chat 10, they were experimenting with new approaches, including generating additional advertising income and collaborating with the high-end boutique wellness company Nourish Travel to introduce ‘Chatter retreats’.

Although Leigh Sales has participated in one event in the Adelaide Hills, Crabb is presenting another one in the Gold Coast Hinterland this September.

A participant in the Sales event has suggested it will surpass next month’s Meghan Markle “girls retreat” weekend in terms of star guest interaction.

A notable aspect was the involvement of Leigh Sales,the statement on Nourish Travel’s website says, ‘whose kindness in offering her time and honest sharing of personal stories brought great worth to the gathering.’

Her candor and genuine nature made a strong impact on everyone present.

The most recent proposal from ABC featured a 3.5 percent raise, followed by a 3.25 percent increase over the next two years, along with a $1,000 bonus.

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