The writers’ union behind the free streaming network CBS News 24/7 has reached a tentative contract agreement with management at CBS and Paramount.
The deal was reached after a tense bargaining period that saw CBS News 24/7 writers go on strike for 24 hours after their contract expired on March 9.
The parties finalized the initial three-year contract on Tuesday, the Writers Guild of America East, which represents the employees, announced Thursday. The union will not publish the details of the agreement until after union members participate in voting on the ratification, which will take place within the next few days.
Hollywood Reporter CBS has reached out for comment.
If ratified, it would be the third deal for the streamer’s 60-person negotiating unit, which includes writers, producers and graphic artists.
In their negotiations, which began on February 10, the union prioritized wage increases, AI guardrails, working conditions, and protections against layoffs and termination. One month later, during the last scheduled negotiation date with management, the union submitted a strike pledge signed by 95 percent of bargaining unit members as it sought to resolve unresolved issues such as wage increases, updating overtime rules, union jurisdiction language and work-from-home policies.
The bargaining unit carried out this threat on March 17, as union members organized strikes and marches in both New York City and San Francisco.
In its press release about the withdrawal, the Writers Guild of America East cited concerns about editorial independence that arose after Paramount’s merger with Skydance Media, given that the CEO of the combined companies, David Ellison, has a relationship with President Donald Trump.
The guild also pointed to the upcoming $111 billion merger with Warner Bros. Discovery, arguing that the blockbuster deal showed CBS/Paramount had enough in its coffers to invest more in its news workers.
“Paramount has billions to spend to acquire Warner Bros. Discovery, but has yet to guarantee fair wages and basic job protections for the workers who operate their broadcast news operations,” Beth Godvik, vice president of WGA East, said in a statement. “Our members will come out today to show management that they are united in their demand for a fair contract – and WGAE is with them every step of the way.”
