ABC News agreement reached

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That’s one less strike to worry about.

The Writers Guild of America, East announced Thursday it had reached a tentative labor agreement with ABC News on behalf of 250 news writers, editors and other staff members in the news division’s New York and Washington offices who have been working without a contract for almost three years.

The two-year contract, which will be voted on by the guild members Dec. 13, grants the employees 3.5% annual raises, along with a onetime $3,700 payment to settle outstanding National Labor Relations Board charges brought against ABC by the union. . The union agreed to a reduction in payments for network radio employees and other adjustments.

“We’re pleased to secure, finally, a fair contract for our members,” Mona Mangan, executive director of the Writers Guild of America, East, said in a statement. We expect the membership to ratify this contract, and we can now continue our work of delivering quality news to the public.”

In a separate statement, ABC said it was “pleased, after three long years of negotiation, to be able to make a deal. We value our WGA-represented employees, and we look forward to a positive ratification vote that will allow both sides to put this behind them.’

Earlier this month, CBS News employees working under a WGA agreement voted to authorize a strike after negotiations broke down between the network and the union. It remains to be seen whether the guild will call for a labor stoppage.

-- Matea Gold