Jackie O reveals details of her own pay parity dispute, with a very different outcome to Lisa Wilkinson’s battle

Staff Writer

Jackie O has revealed that she threatened to quit during contract negotiations just over 12 months ago if she wasn’t given pay parity with Kyle Sandilands.

While former Today Show host Lisa Wilkinson has dominated news headlines today after her bosses at Nine refused to pay her the same amount as co-host Karl Stefanovic, the KIIS breakfast host has spoken about her own salary battle last year.

Speaking to News Limited, Jackie O opened up about requesting the same pay as Kyle Sandilands for the first time in their 17-year partnership when resigning with ARN for another five years.

“I’ve been in that situation over the years where you do get frustrated that the women aren’t getting equal pay to men and they’re seen somehow as less worthy,” Jackie O said.

“You get to a point where you know when you’re ready to walk and I think Lisa [Wilkinson] was obviously at that point as well.”

Jackie O continued, explaining that there are two things to consider before taking such a stand – ensuring you’ve got another job to go to, and also weighing up whether you’re in a position where you have that financial security behind you or not.

“Lisa’s probably at a point, as was I, where we could walk away and we’re not going to lose everything,” she added.

“I’ve had some good negotiations where they’ve been amazing and some not so great ones, but it all depends on who you deal with and I think this company [ARN] has been amazing for that. I do think they really appreciate the women that work on air here.”

You can watch the interview in full here.

 

 

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Pete
18 Oct 2017 - 3:31 am

Now I admire Jackie even more.

Lee
18 Oct 2017 - 7:44 am

Is Harley on 2DAYFM getting the same money as Em doubt it. I’ve heard he’s not even close.

CC
18 Oct 2017 - 1:49 pm

I admire her too. Decades in the business and the longest duration metropolitan breakfast show in Australia. It can’t be easy being on with Kyle 4 hours every day.
Im amazed other metro stations haven’t gone to 6-10 also. She earns her money.

nick bartlett
18 Oct 2017 - 8:21 pm

Jackie has the best female voice on Australian radio. No one else comes close. Worth every dollar.

TheT
19 Oct 2017 - 12:07 pm

Except at ARN Hughsey and Kate were not on parity- and Hughsey took a paycut to ensure they were

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