CBS Workers in SF Walk Off the Job as Bari Weiss Eliminates National News Radio

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Writers and producers on the small CBS 24/7 team in San Francisco organized a 24-hour walkout to fight for fair wages and employee protections. The strike happened just as CBS, under new leadership of Bari Weiss, announced it was shutting down its national news service for radio networks and laying off dozens of employees.

Why it matters

This labor action highlights growing tensions between CBS News management under Weiss and its workers, as the network undergoes dramatic shifts and faces declining ratings. The strike also reflects broader concerns about the rising cost of living in the Bay Area and the challenges of maintaining a livable wage in the region's news industry.

The details

The striking CBS workers, represented by the Writers Guild of America East, are seeking a guaranteed wage increase and reimbursement for toll costs, which have risen to $8.50. Negotiations broke down last week after Paramount, CBS's parent company, refused to meet the workers' demands. The company initially offered a 1.5% raise, later increasing it to 1.75%, well below the 3% annual raises workers had under the previous contract.

• The 24-hour walkout began on Tuesday morning, March 21, 2026.
• In January 2026, CBS implemented a new return-to-office policy requiring workers to be in the office 5 days a week.

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.