Candidate for Council, Broadcast/Cable/Streaming News Sector
Hi, I’m Jordan Lilly, a writer and producer for CBS News 24/7 in New York City, running for WGAE Council in the Broadcast/Cable/Streaming sector.
When I applied to CBS News in 2022, it was not the job title or the prestigious history of the network that most excited me — it was the prospect of joining a union, and becoming a member of the WGA to boot. In fact, I took a pay cut to join this union, banking on the benefits that collective bargaining would bring, including guaranteed annual raises. I’m happy to say that my bet proved to be the right one, and I remain a staunch advocate for continually improving writers’ and producers’ working conditions and contracts.
I have revered the Writers Guild of America since early in my career, as an assistant at 3 Arts Entertainment, where I worked closely with emerging writers and comedians to help get them those first union-eligible credits. I saw how becoming a WGA member unlocked opportunities and granted a stability that made writing a viable career. Advocating for these writers was as much a responsibility as it was an honor, and working with them gave me an insight of the needs of screenwriters, which are different than my news writer colleagues’, though equally important. We are strongest as one union that looks out for one another.
Since joining CBS News 24/7, I have organized our members and revived the union spirit of our shop. I’ve stood up to management to enforce our existing rights and protections, and served on the bargaining committee for our 2026-2029 WGAE contract. Sitting at the bargaining table in February, we got wind of Paramount’s intent to purchase Warner Brothers-Discovery — a deal that would put CBS News and CNN under the same ownership — and I knew then that we had to resist the corporate power bearing down on us more than ever. Two weeks later, I led the first walkout of a WGA newsroom since 1987. We picketed in front of the CBS Broadcast Center, demanding fair pay, editorial independence, and protections against artificial intelligence. For our stand against one of the largest media conglomerates in history, we got a contract with significant improvements that was ratified by 100% of voting members.
As a member of the WGAE Council, I will strive to be a leader and champion for the interests of all our members. We are facing a daunting landscape of mergers, layoffs, and other life-altering mandates from corporate owners, and standing up for workers right now is imperative to the future of our industry. The Paramount/WBD merger is just one example of greed-driven consolidation that impacts every kind of job the WGA represents, and I intend to continue that fight as a powerful voice for our members across all platforms. I’ve been thrilled to see the growth of the Broadcasting/Cable/Streaming sector over the last few years as new shops win recognition and ratify contracts. Together, we can continue to help more workplaces unionize and fight for the pay and conditions they deserve.
I hope you’ll entrust me with your vote to represent you and your fellow members. Thank you for your time and consideration.
In solidarity,
Jordan Lilly
Endorsements
Elizabeth Godvik, Gail Lee
Endorse Jordan Lilly for Council, Broadcast/Cable/Streaming News Sector
Note: WGAW members who wish to endorse a candidate may follow the process outlined in section G.1.B of the 2026 Election Policy.
