WGA Members at CBS News Ratify New Union Contract

NEW YORK, NY (April 4, 2025) — Writers Guild of America East (WGAE) and Writers Guild of America West (WGAW) members at CBS News and management reached a deal on a new collective bargaining agreement. The contract was overwhelmingly ratified by the 270-plus member bargaining unit.  

The bargaining unit includes newswriters, producers, promotions writer-producers, editors, graphic artists and news desk associates based in New York, Chicago, Los Angeles and Washington D.C. 

The new three-year contract includes guaranteed 3% annual raises for the duration of the contract, increases to minimum weekly pay and fees, protections against generative artificial intelligence (GAI) and improvements to benefits.  

Highlights from the contract include: 

• 3% wage increase to all pay minimums in each year of the three-year contract, with even greater increases to pay for entry-level Desk Associates and Junior Writers of 11% to 22% in the first year;
• Additional 2% increase to pay override for per diem employees over the life of the contract;
• Increases to fees for performing additional work, including Acting Editor fees, Producer fees, and Network Radio fees; 
• Artificial Intelligence protections:  
  • The company will meet with the Guild semi-annually to discuss GAI.  
  • The company committed to providing advance notice to the Guild before implementing new GAI systems and bargaining over its impact on Guild members, as required by law.  
  • Any current staff employees laid off as a result of  GAI to receive 1.5 times the severance that they would otherwise receive under the agreement 
  • The company will indemnify Guild members who are assigned to use GAI in accordance with company policies; 
• Increased vacation in first year of employment for staff employees. Full funding for the WGA Health Plan for staff employees, with no diversion from wages; 
• Lower threshold for per diem employees to earn comp days and be eligible for parental leave and severance. 

“We’re so proud to have fought for a strong contract that provides critical job protections to our members,” says Beth Godvik, WGAE VP of Broadcast/Cable/Streaming News. “Our members work around the clock to bring viewers across the globe the news, and we’re encouraged to have a contract that reflects our value.” 

The Writers Guild of America East (WGAE) and the Writers Guild of America West (WGAW) are labor unions representing writers in motion pictures, television, news, podcasts, and online media. The Guilds negotiate and administer contracts that protect the creative and economic rights of their members; conduct programs, seminars and events on issues of interest to writers; and present writers’ views to various bodies of government. For more information on the Writers Guild of America East, visit www.wgaeast.org. For more information on the Writers Guild of America West, visit www.wga.org. 

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