Journalists had pushed for a 15.5 per cent pay rise over three years.
The accepted offer includes a four per cent increase in the first year followed by a 3.5 per cent rise. Permanent staff also recently received a $1750 one-off “recognition” bonus.
Members secured a diversity clause, expanded career progression, better parental leave and an improved working from home clause under the new arrangement, the Media Entertainment and Arts Alliance (MEAA) said.
The union said Nine had agreed to develop a policy outlining minimum standards for its freelance contributors and to publicly display its charter of editorial independence.
MEAA media director Adam Portelli said it was a good result, particularly for younger staff.
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“Journalists have provided an essential service over the last few years, keeping us informed through the pandemic, bushfire and floods. It’s only fair their role has been recognised in this agreement,” he said in a statement.
“Members wanted a fair increase, their commitment to ethics respected and a more diverse newsroom.
“Freelancers, in particular, deserve more certainty in their working lives, and we will continue our campaign to ensure that contributors – at Nine and elsewhere – are provided with minimum standards.”
Chessell briefed Nine staff on the revised offer earlier this week, saying at the time it was critical to balance their interests with those of the company amid “considerable cost headwinds”.
In August, Nine announced record profits for 2021/22 with a statutory net profit of $315 million, up 71 per cent on the previous year.
Pre-tax earnings at its publishing division, which includes the news mastheads, lifted 53 per cent to $62 million.
The company also paid a record dividend to shareholders of 14 cents per share.
