On Monday, the U.S. 3rd Circuit Court of Appeals directed the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette to reverse more than five years of violations against workers’ rights and compensate affected employees. This decision enforces a previous National Labor Relations Board ruling from September 2024. The order comes after Post-Gazette workers have been on strike since October 2022.
Andrew Goldstein, striking education reporter and president of the Newspaper Guild of Pittsburgh, stated: “Ever since Post-Gazette management ripped apart our contract in 2020, our union of journalists has been standing and fighting the lawless union-busting that we’ve been subjected to every step of the way. When we walked out on strike in October 2022 it wasn’t just for us and our rights as workers, we were fighting for fair treatment for the future journalists in Pittsburgh and beyond. Today’s victory vindicates our fight and shows that NewsGuild workers will never back down no matter how long it takes.”
The newspaper has faced allegations of violating federal labor laws over several years. The circuit court’s ruling, combined with ongoing worker action, has limited further legal recourse for company management.
Striking members of the Newspaper Guild of Pittsburgh-CWA now expect to return to work under conditions they have demanded during their three-year walkout. These demands include reinstating a health care plan that was removed without bargaining in July 2020, which was replaced by a costlier plan with fewer benefits. Other contested changes included removal of guaranteed work hours, reductions in disability coverage and paid time off, as well as limits on challenging managerial discipline.
NewsGuild-CWA President Jon Schleuss commented: “The Blocks shameless attempts at union busting failed again. What the Blocks — and all owners like them — need to understand is that they cannot break the law. We are stronger, braver and more principled than any boss can possibly imagine. The NewsGuild stands ready to support every journalist and all of our members in whatever it takes, however long it takes.”
Claude Cummings, Jr., president of Communications Workers of America, added: “Let this be a lesson to the bosses and the bullies who think they can starve working people into submission — when we stand together, we have the power, the tenacity and the will to win. I am immensely proud of our strikers for their righteous victory today, and also of members and retirees from across our union and the labor movement who have stood in solidarity, donated, and sustained our strikers for three long years. When we fight together, we win together.”
During the strike period lasting three years, community members provided support through rallies at picket lines as well as financial contributions exceeding $1 million while boycotting the newspaper.
Despite being on strike, workers continued publishing local news through an alternative outlet called Pittsburgh Union Progress.
Natalie Duleba, striking copy editor and page designer who serves as Local Secretary for the Newspaper Guild of Pittsburgh said: “It has been an honor to fight alongside my fellow strikers and to take care of one another for the past three-plus years. We had to do both to achieve this well-earned victory,” she said. “Striking this long is what standing up for ourselves and the many voices of Pittsburgh required. The relationships we’ve forged as striking journalists with each other and this community are invaluable. We plan to keep and strengthen them when we return to the Post-Gazette.”
