CBS news writers could soon join writers for network shows such as Rules of Engagement and Two and a Half Men on picket lines after voting in favour of a U.S.-wide strike.
The radio and TV news employees are represented by the Writers Guild of America, the same union as film and TV writers who are already striking.
About 500 CBS News writers based in New York, Los Angeles, Chicago and Washington have been without a contract since April 2005.
A strike vote Thursday found 81 per cent of workers support a strike, giving union negotiators the go-ahead to approve strike action if there is no progress in talks.
"Writers Guild members are sending their CBS bosses an irrefutable message of solidarity — we will do whatever it takes to get what we have earned and deserve," Michael Winship, president of Writers Guild of America East, said in a prepared statement.
The main issue for the news writers is wages, with CBS saying it wants to pay workers in local radio less than workers in television and network radio.
The network says local radio stations are facing declining revenues and local employees should face smaller wage increases.
The union also rejected CBS's demand that more writing duties be assigned to non-union staff.
CBS News and the WGA have not held negotiations since last January.
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