CBS News workers hold 24-hour walkout for new contract

Workers at CBS News walked out for 24 hours on Tuesday after a new contract agreement was not reached following the expiration of the contract last week.About 60 workers at the streaming service CBS News 24/7 are represented by the Writers Guild of America East. The union is holding rallies and walkouts at the CBS News broadcast center in Manhattan, New York, and at KPIX-TV CBS News Bay Area in San Francisco, California.The union contract expired on 9 March, and the union delivered a strike pledge to management on 10 March after 95% of the unit signed the pledge and 2,900 union members and supporters signed letters to management to reach a contract with the union.“CBS News 24/7 journalists are walking off the job on both coasts today because management refuses to agree to a new contract with essential work protections and fair wages,” the union said in a statement.The union alleged management continues proposing worse terms than their previous contracts.US regulators approved billionaire David Ellison’s Skydance Media $8.4bn takeover of CBS owner, Paramount, last year. Skydance is now finalizing a $110bn takeover of CNN’s owner, Warner Bros Discovery.“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,” said Beth Godvik, WGAE vice-president of broadcast/cable/streaming news. “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.”A CBS News spokesperson said in an email: “We continue to negotiate in good faith and hope to reach a fair resolution quickly.”