The Writers Guild of America East said that members ratified a three-year contract with CBS News Digital, marking the first such deal on a collective bargaining agreement.
The 46-member bargaining unit includes writers, reporters, editors, and producers at CBS News’ digital platforms including CBSNews.com, its mobile website, social media channels and the CBS News app.
The contract includes minimum salaries and guaranteed pay raises, as well as extra pay for overnight shifts, long days and weeks and standby shifts, the guild said.
The contract also includes either a 3% increase or a ratification bonus in the first year, a guaranteed minimum 3.5% pay increase in the second year, and a 3% pay increase in the third year. It also includes the option to be paid out for comp time, guaranteed minimum severance for layoffs, and employment protections for generative AI. That latter includes 1.5 times severance if laid off because of AI implementation. The contract also includes codification of existing remote work policies through Dec. 31, 2027, with employees on a hybrid schedule not required to work more than two days in the office, while fully remote workers can continue to do so.
Beth Godvik, WGAE VP of broadcast/cable/streaming/news, said in a statement, “Establishing protections like guaranteed raises and pay that actually matches the job duties being performed will allow our members to build sustainable careers in news.”
A CBS News spokesperson did not immediately return a request for comment.
