Staff working on ABC News' digital operations have voted to unionise with the Writers Guild of America East (WGA East), the union announced on Wednesday. The move brings roughly 50 digital reporters, editors, video producers and social media producers under collective bargaining representation, and comes at a sensitive moment for ABC, which is currently facing heightened scrutiny from the US Federal Communications Commission over its broadcast licences amid separate controversies involving Jimmy Kimmel and The View.

The bargaining unit voted unanimously to designate WGA East as its representative, joining ABC News Broadcast colleagues and thousands of other Disney employees already unionised. WGA East president Tom Fontana noted the guild has represented ABC News staff since the 1960s and praised management for engaging constructively on recognition. The union has also organised staff at Hearst Magazines, Slate Media and Futuro Media this year, reflecting a broader wave of digital media unionisation.