The union for writers behind the free streaming network CBS News 24/7 have reached a tentative contract deal with management at CBS and Paramount.
The deal was reached after a tense bargaining period that saw CBS News 24/7 writers stage a 24-hour walkout following the expiration of their contract on March 9.
The parties finalized the tentative three-year contract on Tuesday, the Writers Guild of America East, which represents the staffers, announced Thursday. The union is not releasing details of the pact until after union members participate in a ratification vote, which will take place within the next few days.
The Hollywood Reporter has reached out to CBS for comment.
If ratified, the deal will be the third for the 60-person bargaining unit, which encompasses writers, producers and graphic artists at the streamer.
In their negotiations, which began Feb. 10, the union prioritized wage increases, generative AI guardrails, working conditions and layoff and termination protections. One month later, during their last scheduled bargaining date with management, the union delivered a strike pledge signed by 95 percent of bargaining unit members as it sought to conclude unresolved issues like wage increases, updated overtime rules, union jurisdiction language and work-from-home policies.
The bargaining unit made good on that threat on March 17, with union members holding walkouts and rallies in both New York City and San Francisco.
In its press release about the walkout, the Writers Guild of America East cited concerns over editorial independence that have arisen following the merger of Paramount with Skydance Media, given that the CEO of the combined companies, David Ellison has a relationship with President Donald Trump.
The guild also cited the pending $111 billion merger with Warner Bros. Discovery, arguing that the mega-transaction showed CBS/Paramount had enough in their coffers to invest more in their news workers.
“Paramount has billions to spend acquiring Warner Bros. Discovery, but still hasn’t guaranteed fair wages and basic job protections for the workers who make their streaming news operation run,” WGA East vp Beth Godvik said in a statement. “Our members are walking out today to show management they stand united in their demand for a fair contract—and the WGAE is with them every step of the way.”
