Channel Nine Olympics hotel stink erupts: Hardworking TV network staff blow up over 'shonky' accommodation over a Macca's in Paris - while execs book themselves into a stunning five-star resort and spa

EXCLUSIVE 

Outraged Channel Nine staff have accused the network of forcing them to stay in shonky, budget hotels in outer Paris during the Olympics, while their bosses ‘live it up’ at a five-star resort in the heart of the city.

Nine has been inundated with complaints from its news reporters and television crews about ‘unsanitary’ and ‘unsafe’ accommodation since its 200-strong Olympic team arrived in the French capital to cover the Games little more than a week ago.

But their concerns soon turned to outright fury when they learned the network’s executives would not be sharing their rundown digs – and had instead booked themselves into an exorbitantly priced palatial hotel and spa 4km away in one of the city’s trendiest neighbourhoods.

The bitter hotel stoush comes in the midst of escalating industrial action at the embattled media company following widespread budget cuts and forced redundancies that will see as many as 200 staffers lose their jobs.

‘It’s not that we’re here thinking this is supposed to be a holiday,’ one irate Nine insider told Daily Mail Australia. ‘It’s the exact opposite.

‘We’re the ones on the ground, working 16-hour days and slogging our guts out to make sure this is the best Olympic Games coverage ever.

‘But at the same time that we’re being told we need to work harder than ever before because money's tight and jobs are being axed, we see management go and splash all this cash putting themselves up in one of the best hotels in Paris.

‘If they were staying in the same places as us, that’d be one thing, and it would be fine. But we’re staying in budget, rundown accommodation while they live it up at a first-class place with all the perks and breakfast included. It’s gross hypocrisy.’

One of the hotels to earn the ire of Nine staffers is the Appart’City Paris Grande Bibliotheque, which is situated above a bustling McDonalds fast food outlet, in the city’s south-eastern 13th Arrondissement.

Since checking in at the hotel, network staffers have complained about ‘dank, unsanitary’ rooms with water stains on the walls, broken amenities and constant disruptions from a busy construction site across the road.

They have also been apprehensive about the safety of staff returning to the hotel after covering late-night events, describing the neighbourhood – one of the city’s most densely populated quartiers – as the ‘Cabramatta of Paris’.

Their concerns were amplified after two members of Nine’s news team were attacked in an attempted mugging last week while returning to their hotel from the Olympics' broadcasting centre in the Le Bourget precinct in the city’s north-east.

While the pair escaped the scuffle unscathed, the incident has raised questions about the level of thought and planning that had been put into the network’s accommodation requirements.

In contrast, members of Nine’s leadership team have been booked into the glamourous ivy-covered Le Pavilion de la Reine hotel and spa in the heart of the capital’s sought-after Le Marais district.

The hotel, which boasts it offers ‘an elegant atmosphere’ and ‘discreet’ world-class luxury, is located a stone’s throw from the city’s most popular landmarks, including Notre Dame, Le Centre Pompidou, and the Louvre, and includes gym facilities, spa access and free breakfast.

The exclusive 56-room retreat has been completely booked out for the duration of the Games and is not available again until August 11, when prices start from $861 a night.

In comparison, rooms at the Appart’City hotel where the network’s staff have been staying are available for a fraction of cost - at just $179 - for the same night. 

Nine has been approached for comment about the reasons for the accommodation disparity - and which members of the network's Olympic team have been included in the high-end hotel booking. 

The network has previously confirmed Today Show star Karl Stefanovic has been staying alongside fellow staff in Paris, even though he appeared to plug Airbnb on social media for helping his family secure an apartment in Paris. 

'Karl is staying at the same accommodation as Nine staff. He has a young family and is working difficult hours and they were offered an Airbnb as Jasmine has also partnered with them,' a Nine spokesperson told Daily Mail Australia.

Nine has also been forced to defend its decision to fly The Block host Scott Cam to Paris at great expense to promote the upcoming season of the reality renovation show at a time when the network was embroiled in budget cuts and industrial action over staff pay. 

Nine boss Mike Sneesby last month announced hundreds of jobs would be cut at the network as part of a $30 million cost-cutting plan.

'From our nationwide team of almost 5000 people, around 200 jobs are expected to be affected across Nine, including some vacant and casual roles not being filled,' the Nine chief executive said.

He refused to answer questions about his 'tone-deaf' decision to carry the Olympic torch in Paris while the company was in the midst of a bitter industrial dispute back in Australia during a cringe-worth encounter outside his hotel on Friday.

‘It's not really the time to have a chat,' he said, after being approached by a reporter from rival commercial network Seven.

'It's pretty straight forward though, should you have carried the torch yesterday?' the reporter insisted as Mr Sneesby pushed past him.

The reporter was undeterred and fired more questions at Mr Sneesby who kept walking while remaining tight-lipped.

'Is it inappropriate you staying at a boutique hotel when you have just sacked staff today?' the reporter asked.

Mr Sneesby attempted to dismiss the reporter - but questions kept being fired.

'Staff are going on strike today why don't you stop and have a chat to us now?' the reporter asked.

Maintaining a tight-lipped grimace Mr Grimace attempted once more to get rid of his interrogator.

'I'm meeting my family and...' he said.

'You're the boss of a media business, are you here for work or here on a holiday with family?' the reporter interjected.

Underneath the confrontation Seven ran the caption 'Nine's Olympic strike: NIne boss at luxury hotel as staff strike over pay'.

Nine staff have called for Mr Sneesby to forgo his bonuses and other perks as journalists walk off the job in search of more pay.

Journalists from The Sydney Morning Herald, The Age, The Australian Financial Review, Brisbane Times and Watoday began striking from 11am on Friday.

The Media, Entertainment and Arts Alliance union members from Nine's publishing division have demanded a 20 per cent pay rise over three years.

Nine reportedly offered a raise of 10.5 per cent, nearly half the staff's demand.

The Age state political reporter Broede Carmody said journalists were calling on Mr Sneesby and all other executives to forgo bonuses from the last two financial years and reinvest them into the company.

'Mike Sneesby wants to talk about a sustainable business, let's talk about sustainable business,' Carmody said outside Nine's Docklands office in Melbourne on Friday morning.

'How many jobs could have been saved if this company didn't fly TV people who are unrelated to the Olympics to Paris and put them up in luxury hotels that cost $1000 a night?'

Carmody also criticised a reported million-dollar handshake given to former news boss Darren Wick despite sexual harassment allegations against him.

An external review was announced into allegations Wick harassed up to a dozen women at the media giant.

The 'pain will really start to set in' as hundreds of staff members across the country walk off the job, Carmody added.

'For Mike Sneesby to claim today that the coverage will go on and the papers will look great - well, I'm sorry, how will the paper look great for five days with 500 people walking out the door?' he questioned.

'It just doesn't make sense.'

Carmody said journalists would not rule out taking further action if Nine failed to 'come to the table with a fair offer'.

'All the company will offer us this financial year is below inflation. We are struggling during the cost-of-living crisis and we need that money now,' he said.

Other employees said Thursday's strike action would be their fifth strike during their time with Nine.

Nine said in a statement the company 'recognises the rights of unions to take industrial action but believe that a return to the negotiating table is the best way to progress the EBA'.

'With our new and improved proposal representing a fair and reasonable offer for our people, we remain open to resuming good faith negotiations at the earliest opportunity,' the statement read.

MEAA Deputy Chief Executive Adam Portelli spoke outside Nine's Docklands office after the media giant's employees launched strike action.

With half the content produced by The Age and other Nine papers contributed by freelance journalists and staff, Mr Portelli said all staff must be treated equally, including the staff 'outside the building'.

Mr Portelli said Nine had repeatedly declined staff member's requests for more diversity within the newsroom.

'We've said to the company 'we want diversity in our newsrooms', not just for us ... but for those communities and so that we can tell more stories to more people,' he said.

'They company has said no.'

Mr Portelli said Nine has shown its employees a 'complete lack of respect' throughout the negotiation process.

'We have sought a cost of living increase while Mike Sneesby has been sunning it up in Paris,' he said.

'We just need to acknowledge the failing of your boss, the failing of Channel 9 throughout this process.

'They have consistently taken the view, taken the side of the shareholders and it's time for them to take the view of their front line.'