<div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Thousands of ABC staff have walked off the job for the first time in 20 years today as the </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national" rel="" target="_blank" title="national "><span>national</span></a><span> broadcaster's shows were replaced by the BBC.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Journalists and staff began participating in a 24-hour </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/strike" rel="" target="_blank" title="protected strike"><span>protected strike</span></a><span> for greater pay and job security at 11am.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>At the hour, the ABC began streaming content from the UK-based broadcaster BBC.</span></div></div><div><div id="adspot-mobile-medium"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE: </span></strong><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/fuel-prices-updates-iran-war-trucking-industry/13a5b797-8e31-40bf-8260-cc83f4f8601e" rel="" target="_blank" title=""><strong><span>All households to suffer if 'central' industry buckles under soaring fuel costs</span></strong></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The ABC's flagship current affairs program, 7.30, is widely expected to also be off the air tonight and replaced by reruns or content from other broadcasters.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The changes come after about </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/abc-staff-plan-strike-over-rejected-pay-offer/6157e1a5-46a5-4fe5-89f8-3ffbb8052988" rel="" target="_blank" title="60 per cent of ABC staff rejected the broadcaster's latest pay offer"><span>60 per cent of ABC staff rejected the broadcaster's latest pay offer</span></a><span> of a 10 per cent rise over three years and a $1000 sign-on bonus.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The ABC employs about 4500, with 1000 of those participating in the vote for industrial action.</span></div></div><div><div class="OUTBRAIN" data-reactroot="" data-src="//www.9news.com.au/national/abc-strike-thousands-of-staff-walk-off-the-job-in-20-year-first-as-bbc-to-replace-shows/436b9fc7-9626-4236-baea-f0a845874625" data-widget-id="AR_5"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>MEAA chief executive Erin Madeley earlier this week called on the ABC to put forward an offer that reflects the "value of ABC staff and protects the future of Australia's public broadcaster".</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"Experienced journalists and media workers are being asked to do more with less – with fewer opportunities for pay progression, less certainty about their future, and growing workloads," she said.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE: </span></strong><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/world/donald-trump-iran-gift-oil-and-gas-middle-east-usa-politics-news/a8aa0c9b-666b-4323-92bf-af32bf6c7019" rel="" target="_blank" title=""><strong><span>Trump says Iran has sent expensive gift to US, but won't say what it is</span></strong></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"This isn't just a workforce issue. When skilled, experienced staff are forced out, communities lose trusted local voices, particularly in regional Australia where the ABC is often the only local newsroom."</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>ABC managing director Hugh Marks said he believed the pay offer was "both sustainable and financially responsible".</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"I understand that in the current climate higher pay would help many individuals, but we must also remain focused on the long-term sustainability of the ABC and its relevance to all Australians," he said.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"It is a balance. No one has provided any evidence to me to suggest ABC staff are paid less than industry standards."</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The last time the ABC staff were on strike was over pay and employment conditions in 2006.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><em><span>NEVER MISS A STORY:</span></em></strong><span> </span><em><span>Get your breaking news and exclusive stories first by following us across all platforms.</span></em></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><ul><li><strong><em><span>Download the 9NEWS App here via</span></em></strong><span> </span><a href="https://apps.apple.com/au/app/9news/id1010533727" target="_blank"><strong><em><span>Apple</span></em></strong></a><span> </span><strong><em><span>and</span></em></strong><span> </span><a href="https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=nineNewsAlerts.nine.com&amp;hl=en_AU&amp;pli=1" target="_blank"><strong><em><span>Google Play</span></em></strong></a></li><li><strong><em><span>Make 9News your preferred source on Google by</span></em></strong><span> </span><a href="https://9.nine.com.au/8x987w" target="_blank"><strong><em><span>ticking this box here</span></em></strong></a></li><li><strong><em><span>Sign up to</span></em></strong><span> </span><a href="https://login.nine.com.au/edm?client_id=nineatnine" target="_blank"><strong><em><span>our breaking newsletter here</span></em></strong></a></li></ul></div></div>