PITTSBURGH – The 3rd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals enjoined the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette (PG) on Monday, requiring the company to—among other orders—restore the health care it illegally took away from editorial workers, addressing a core demand of the union workers who have struck for more than 29 months.
“It is further ordered that the Respondent, PG Publishing Co., Inc. d/b/a Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, and its officers, agents, successors, and assigns, shall: …rescind the changes in the terms and conditions of employment related to health insurance for its unit employees that were unilaterally implemented on about July 27, 2020,” the order, written by Judge Cindy K. Chung, reads.
The PG is also required to bargain with the Newspaper Guild of Pittsburgh-CWA Local 38061, submit bargaining progress reports to Region 6 of the National Labor Relations Board, and negotiate with the workers’ union on any changes in wages, hours, or any other terms of employment.
The Post-Gazette will soon face further consequences as the Third Circuit Court of Appeals is awaiting a final response from the company regarding the NLRB’s request for enforcement of its own September 2024 ruling. If the 3rd Circuit Court enforces the Board’s ruling, the PG will be required to restore working conditions consistent with the entire 2014-17 contract, including paid time off, wages, employees having a guaranteed work week, and the right to question company discipline, among other issues, as well as back pay to workers for wage reductions and increased health care costs.
In 2020, the company illegally and unilaterally tore up the editorial workers’ union contract, claiming they had bargained to an impasse. Both an administrative law judge and the National Labor Relations Board in D.C. ruled that the company broke federal labor law in this instance, in addition to bargaining in bad faith and illegally surveilling its workers.
“Members of the Newspaper Guild of Pittsburgh have stood and fought against the Post-Gazette’s illegal union busting since October 2022, and today we have been given the victory that we’ve held the picket line waiting for so long,” said Zack Tanner, striking interactive designer and Newspaper Guild of Pittsburgh president. “Our win today is a major victory not just for us striking workers, but for all workers in Pittsburgh who want to stand up and fight.”
Members of the Newspaper Guild of Pittsburgh walked out on strike on October 18, 2022, demanding restoration of their 2014-17 contract and dignified health care.
The striking workers have maintained their picket lines for more than two years and five months in America’s longest-running strike, winning many legal victories over the Post-Gazette. Unlike previous rulings against the PG, the 3rd Circuit Court’s order has both enforcement power and directly addresses strikers’ demands.
The Newspaper Guild of Pittsburgh remains on strike against the Post-Gazette. Striking workers will meet in the coming days to discuss the court order and whether it will lead to the end of the strike.
“NewsGuild-CWA members have a saying: whatever it takes,” said NewsGuild-CWA President Jon Schleuss. “Guild members have struck for 29 months knowing we were right and the company broke federal law. Today the 3rd Circuit Court of Appeals agreed with us. We’re thrilled and will continue doing our job holding power to account, especially when it’s the boss.”