Arts Centre Melbourne workers will take protected industrial action this month as enterprise bargaining negotiations stall over poor pay offers.

The protected action comes after months of bargaining, with workers rejecting a pay offer of 3 per cent, which is a wage cut in real terms.

Industrial action may include performances being interrupted or stalled, work stoppages spanning from 10 minutes to 24 hours, and bans on working overtime.

The Community and Public Sector Union (CPSU) said the offer was unacceptable given the current cost of living crisis and rate of inflation.

The Arts Centre is a treasured Victorian institution that brings world-class performances and cultural experiences to millions of people each year. To continue delivering at that standard, it must be properly funded and resourced.

Behind every performance are highly skilled workers who keep the venue operating safely and seamlessly. They deserve fair wages and conditions that reflect the value of their work.

Failing to invest in these workers will only deepen skills shortages across the arts sector and lead to further erosion of the industry.

The decision to take industrial action is never made lightly, but ACM staff are prepared to fight until a fair offer is on the table.

Quotes attributable to CPSU Vic Secretary, Jiselle Hanna:

"The ball is in the government's court. They could commit to increased funding for the Arts Centre and industrial action could be avoided."

"These are the people who make the magic happen behind the scenes. If we continue to short-change them, we risk losing the skilled workforce that keeps Victoria's world-class arts sector running."

"We’re asking for a pay rise that keeps pace with inflation. This includes a cost-of-living payment that other arts agencies and the wider Victorian Public Service received between 2024-2025."