ABC Network News and the WGA East Announce Recognition of ABC Network News Digital Staff Union
NEW YORK (August 5, 2026) – The Writers Guild of America East (WGAE) is pleased to announce that we have reached an agreement with American Broadcasting Companies, Inc. regarding the union representation process for employees of ABCNews.com and ABC Network News’ Social Media Platforms.
Since the beginning of this process, ABC Network News and WGAE have engaged in productive and constructive discussions, reflecting a shared commitment to maintaining a collaborative and supportive workplace. In a union election counted Friday, July 31, voters in ABC News Digital’s approximately 50-member bargaining unit voted unanimously to be represented by the WGAE for the purposes of collective bargaining. The unit includes Digital Reporters, Digital Editors, Digital Video Producers, and Social Media Producers who contribute to the content and operation of ABCNews.com and ABC Network News Social Media Platforms.
In a statement, members of the bargaining unit said, “The industry is changing at a rapid pace, and we want to help shape the version of ABC News that will emerge from this transition. We are excited to join hundreds of our ABC News Broadcast colleagues and thousands of our fellow Disney employees who are represented by unions.”
WGAE President Tom Fontana said, “The WGAE has represented unionized workers at ABC News since the 1960s. We appreciate that management engaged in productive conversations for recognition, and we look forward to winning union protections for ABC News’ digital staff.”
In its Broadcast/Cable/Streaming News sector, the WGAE also represents workers at 1010 WINS, ABC News, Audacy (WCBS-AM, WBBM-AM, and KNX-AM), CBS News, CBS News Digital, CBS News 24/7, Fox 5 WNYW-TV, MSNOW, NBC Promo Writers, Thirteen Productions (Thirteen/WNET), and WBBM / CBS 2 News.
ABOUT THE WRITERS GUILD OF AMERICA EAST
The Writers Guild of America East, AFL-CIO, is a labor union of more than 7,500 members working in film, television, news, podcasts and online media. The Guild negotiates and administers contracts that protect the creative and economic rights of its members; conducts programs, seminars and events on issues of interest to writers; and presents writers’ views to various bodies of government. For more information on the Writers Guild of America East, visit wgaeast.org.
