Pittsburgh NewsGuild Members Join Pittsburgh Post-Gazette Strike

Members of CWA Locals 14842 and 14827 employed by the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, who went on strike two weeks ago in response to unfair labor practices by management, including unilateral changes to their health care plan, are staying one day longer, one day stronger on the picket line. On Tuesday, members of the Pittsburgh NewsGuild (TNG-CWA Local 38061) joined the strike, citing the company’s illegal declaration of an impasse in contract negotiations and imposition of new working conditions, including cuts to wages and vacation time and a low benefit, high cost health plan.

Members of Teamsters Local 205/211 and Pressmen’s Union GCC/IBT Local 24M/9N are also on strike.

“For the first time in my adult life, along with the members that I represent, I wake up every morning without health care. And I'd like to tell you, that's a very uncomfortable feeling in today's world. You could ring up a health care bill that could absolutely cripple you for the rest of your life. And I just think it's unfair that after all this time, this is the way we're being treated,” said John Clark, President of Mailers Local 22/CWA Local 14842, at a press conference the workers held last week to a announce public boycott of the Post-Gazette and to ask members of the Pittsburgh community to cancel their subscriptions and withhold advertising from the paper.

The strike and the solidarity actions have had a significant impact on the company’s operations. In addition, the workers continue to receive an outpouring of support from elected officials, community leaders, and other unions.

“We, the workers, are standing together today, ready to fight to win back our contract and work toward signing a new collective bargaining agreement that preserves the Post-Gazette for the Pittsburgh region,” said Newspaper Guild of Pittsburgh (TNG-CWA Local 38061) President Zack Tanner in a release announcing that the newsroom employees had voted to join the strike.

Check out photos from the strike picket line: