The Writers Guild of America called the layoffs at CBS News on Friday an example of the “recklessness and greed of their bosses,” as the union indicated that its membership was impacted by the job cuts.
The layoffs affected about 6% of the CBS News workforce of about 1,100 employees, or 60 to 70 positions. One of the biggest cuts was to CBS News Radio, which is being shuttered on May 22, ending a service with origins dating nearly 100 years to the birth of the network. All of the employees of the radio service are being laid off.
In a joint statement from the WGA West and East, the guilds said, “Once again, our members have lost their jobs due to the recklessness and greed of their bosses.”
“CBS News Radio is an institution, where generations of the finest journalists in the country spent their careers reporting the news and holding people in power to account. The decision to simply shutter CBS News Radio is indicative of Bari Weiss and David Ellison’s inept leadership.
“The dozens of CBS journalists laid off today have served the American people through their talent and dedication. Given the damage David Ellison has done to CBS News in mere months, the Ellison family must not be permitted to acquire CNN or any other vital news outlets.”
A CBS News spokesperson did not immediately return a request for comment. Weiss is the editor in chief of CBS News; Ellison is the CEO of Paramount, the parent company of the network. Paramount recently reached an agreement for a $111 billion deal to buy Warner Bros. Discovery, the parent of CNN, something that has generated anxiety over the prospect of further cuts given the pending common ownership of the news outlets.
WGAE members who work at CBS News 24/7 staged a 24-hour walkout earlier this week as they press for a new contract following its expiration earlier this month.
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