CNS - The threat of a strike by CBS news writers prompted the Democratic National Committee to cancel a planned presidential debate in Los Angeles.

The debate had been scheduled for Dec. 10 and was to be televised on CBS.

The network’s news writers, who have been working under an expired contract since 2005, have authorized the Writers Guild of America to call a national strike. Some of the Democratic presidential candidates have indicated they would not participate in the debate if the labor dispute went unresolved.

Karen Finney, communications director for the DNC, issued a statement saying the Dec. 10 debate would be canceled and would not be rescheduled.

The WGA issued a statement saying the decision to cancel the debate was a regrettable offshoot of the labor dispute.

“This was triggered by CBS’ fear that the Democratic candidates would not cross a picket line by WGA-CBS news writers or WGA film and TV writers to participate in the debate — a concern that could have been avoided entirely if CBS would simply sit down and negotiate a fair contract for its news and entertainment employees,” the WGA statement said.

Published in : News, Politics