WGA Ratifies New 3-Year Contract With CBS News, Securing Key AI Protections

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The Writers Guild of America East and West members at CBS News have ratified a new three-year collective bargaining agreement with the company.

Per the guild, the 270-plus member unit “overwhelmingly” approved of the deal, which includes AI protections, guaranteed raises, and improved benefits, among other provisions.

The WGA had been prioritizing artificial intelligence in these negotiations, in an effort “to safeguard journalism as a profession,” WGA East Executive Director Sam Wheeler told Deadline last month.

Modeled after the recently ratified ABC News contract, CBS News staffers also secured protections against the technology that include advance notice from the company before it implements any new generative AI systems so that the guild can bargain over its impact on members.

CBS News management has also agreed to meet semi-annually with the guild to discuss AI, which has become a fairly common provision in these contracts. Notably, any current staff who is laid off as a result of generative AI is now guaranteed 1.5x severance that they would otherwise receive.

Other 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 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

The CBS News 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.

“We’re so proud to have fought for a strong contract that provides critical job protections to our members,” Beth Godvik, WGAE VP of Broadcast/Cable/Streaming News said in a statement Friday. “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.”

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