Additional benefits include paid parental leave for second-year Temporary Employees in the WGA Health Fund, more Paid Time Off, and new fees for Desk Assistants performing certain roles. The contract also ensures attribution for news writers whose work is used on platforms not covered by the agreement. The bargaining committee expressed pride in the contract, citing it as a result of the resilience and solidarity of WGA East members at ABC News, and noted its groundbreaking protections against Generative AI.
Key takeaways:
- Writers Guild of America East members ratified a new three-year deal with ABC News, highlighting financial gains and AI provisions.
- The agreement includes a 3.5% annual pay increase and over 17% pay increase for Desk Assistants in the first year.
- ABC News agreed not to lay off current staff and to provide notice before implementing AI systems.
- Additional benefits include increased contributions to the Health Fund, paid parental leave, and more Paid Time Off.