The Writers Guild of America (WGA) reached a tentative deal with about 500 Columbia Broadcasting System (CBS) news writers and other employees Wednesday, thus resolving a labor dispute.

The contract covers some 500 CBS news writers, editors, desk assistants, production assistants, graphic artists, promotion writers and researchers working locally and nationally for television and radio.

A statement released by CBS said: "We are gratified that a tentative agreement has been reached so that CBS and its valued WGA news employees can put this chapter behind us. Our focus throughout the process has been on reaching a fair agreement and we think this contract is good for both sides."

The CBS employees had been working without a contract for nearly two years. The possibility of a strike by the network employees even prompted the Democratic National Committee to cancel a presidential debate that had been planned last month in Los Angeles for broadcast on CBS.

The proposed contract, which still must be ratified by union members, would include raises of 3.5-percent upon ratification and again in 2009,according to the WGA.

Most regularly scheduled employees who worked 200 days or more in 2007 and did not receive raises during the negotiations will receive payments of US$3,700. Employees who worked less would receive pro-rated payments.

"This has been a long struggle, but our members became mobilized and engaged in a way they have never been before," said Mona Mangan, executive director of the WGA, East. "This contract truly belongs to them."

Patric M. Verrone, president of the WGA, West, said he now hoped the CBS will return to the bargaining table to reach a deal with striking film and television writers.

The film and television writers' strike began in November, and negotiations broke down on Dec. 7. No new talks have been scheduled and as a result, Hollywood scribes are still on the picket lines.