Protected industrial action will continue for Arts Centre Melbourne workers this week, as they prepare for another 24-hour strike on Friday.

The Community and Public Sector Union (CPSU) said it was disappointing that management chose to cancel shows and inconvenience performers and audiences, instead of paying their staff properly.

The strike will impact several performances on Friday evening.

Workers are fighting for a 7 per cent pay rise, with wages at the Arts Centre falling 10 per cent behind inflation since 2022. Nearly 40 per cent of the workforce is on the lowest pay band, with many paid the minimum award wage.  

Other conditions staff are asking for include back pay to October 2025 (when the agreement expired), protections against AI, and five days of sick leave for casual workers, who make up more than 60 per cent of the workforce.

The CPSU said stopping work for 24-hours was not an easy decision to make, but workers were committed to fighting for fair pay and conditions.

The strike will start at 12.01am Friday 18 September, with union members from the Media Entertainment and Arts Alliance (MEAA) participating as well.

Staff going on strike are the ones who make the magic happen on stage and behind the scenes. Their roles include educators, presenters, curators, programmers, IT, communications and marketing.

If they continue being paid the bare minimum, we risk losing the skilled workforce that keeps Victoria's world-class arts sector running.

The CPSU said if a deal isn’t on the table by October, there would be disruptions to the Ian Potter State Theatre reopening.

Quotes attributable to CPSU Vic Secretary, Jiselle Hanna

“We are again calling on the State Government to come in and fix this mess.”

“Staff at ACM are genuinely devastated that performances are being cancelled. Many of these workers are performers themselves – they don’t want to be disruptive, but management have left them no option.”

“These workers will not back down until a fair agreement is reached – they are willing to fight for what they deserve, which will ultimately lead to the longevity of skilled staff in the arts industry.”