CBS News 24/7 Staff Prepare for Strike Amid Bitter Pay Dispute with Bari Weiss
Dozens of CBS News 24/7 staff members are poised to walk out on Tuesday following a breakdown in negotiations with new network boss Bari Weiss over a contentious pay dispute. Workers within the network's streaming service team have been engaged in talks with Weiss since February, but discussions collapsed dramatically in recent days, leading to a strike pledge.
Union Negotiations Implode as Contract Expires
The 60-person unit, represented by the Writers Guild of America-backed union, delivered a formal strike notice to management last week after both sides allowed a three-year contract to expire without reaching a new agreement. This marks the first time Weiss has had to negotiate directly with a union, as The Free Press, the "anti-woke" media outlet she co-founded and continues to run, operates without union representation.
Union members have been unable to secure agreements on several critical issues including meaningful raises, defined work schedules, and adequate severance protections. These negotiations occur against the backdrop of Weiss's public commitment to "reimagine" the streaming service, creating additional uncertainty for staff members.
Morale Crisis and Workplace Complaints
Producers for the streaming service report that morale has reached critically low levels. Jordan Lilly and Tiffany Hudson, both CBS News 24/7 producers and members of the bargaining committee, revealed that staff have routinely worked overtime without additional compensation. In recent months, managers have allegedly demanded that some employees work weekend shifts lasting up to 12 hours, despite the absence of weekend-specific live programming.
"We generally get treated like we are lucky to be here even though we are the ones that make everything show up on your screen," Lilly stated, describing a workplace mentality of "get on board or get out."
Inadequate Raises and Severance Concerns
The network has proposed annual raises of just 1.75 percent, which union members argue fails to keep pace with inflation and represents a reduction compared to previous contracts. Severance protections have emerged as a particularly contentious issue, especially given recent massive layoffs at Paramount Skydance following its acquisition of CBS from the Redstone family.
With Paramount now pursuing a $110 billion deal to acquire Warner Bros. Discovery, staff members fear additional job cuts. The union is fighting to maintain its previous contract's minimum of eight weeks severance plus two weeks for every year worked, seeking to provide equitable exit packages should layoffs occur.
Communication Breakdown and Leadership Style
A significant disconnect exists between CBS News 24/7 staffers and management, according to Hudson. Despite Weiss touting plans to transform the streaming service into "a lab for new formats and shows" during a January town hall meeting, her direct interactions with staff have reportedly been limited to just a few coffee meetings.
"Our members have been hearing things essentially through trade publications, in the rumor mill, about changes to our workplace," Hudson explained. A person familiar with the situation countered that Weiss has been meeting with employees across the network, including those at CBS News 24/7.
Industry Context and Talent Exodus
The impending strike represents the latest challenge during Weiss's turbulent tenure at CBS, which has already witnessed an exodus of top talent. Justice Department Correspondent Scott MacFarlane recently announced his resignation, joining other prominent departures including anchors John Dickerson, Maurice DuBois, and CBS Mornings boss Shawna Thomas.
This labor action follows months after non-unionized employees at CBS "Evening News" were offered "lucrative buyouts" if they disagreed with Weiss's vision for the program's future. The network's strategy appears to mirror Weiss's approach at "Evening News," where Tony Dokoupil has assumed anchoring duties.
Weiss's Vision and Response
During the January town hall, Weiss argued that CBS News has been overly focused on maintaining its current audience rather than expanding its reach to new viewers. "We're for the center. We're for the center-right, and we're for the center-left," she reportedly stated, adding, "The honest truth is right now we are not producing a product that enough people want."
Weiss adopted a direct approach toward those skeptical of her leadership: "If that's not your bag, that's okay. It's a free country, and I completely respect if you decide I'm not the right leader for you or this isn't the right place at the right time."
Impending Strike Action
Strikes are now expected outside both the CBS Broadcast Center in Midtown Manhattan and at the KPIX-TV CBS News Bay Area office in San Francisco. Writers Guild of America Representative Tina Timmerberg emphasized that "members are fighting to protect their livelihoods during a period of uncertainty in broadcast news," citing concerns about "layoffs, editorial interference and political pressure" following the Paramount Skydance merger.
The bargaining unit's core demands include fair pay, workplace respect, and sustainable work-life balance protections. As Tuesday's walkout approaches, the dispute highlights broader tensions within the media industry as traditional broadcasters navigate the challenges of streaming services and corporate consolidation.
