Updated: Aug. 4, 2021 4:40 p.m. (with original post below)
For months, our members and our task force were waiting for the arrival of a report from an outside consultant to provide insights on the culture of the Pittsburgh local now and in the past, and offer recommendations for a path forward. The report, which is the result of the listening series conducted by consultant Rebecca Feaster, was originally scheduled to be released today, Wednesday, Aug. 4, as we previously announced in a statement from our task force on Tuesday.
However, there are concerns that certain aspects of the report could potentially reveal people who want to remain anonymous. Our goal is to protect the members involved in this process and make sure their identities are not revealed. At this time, we feel it best to postpone our timeline, including this week’s meetings.
Ms. Feaster is revising portions of the report to ensure no individual is able to be identified. The timeline and the changes will be dictated by Ms. Feaster and her ability to complete the work. We will provide updates as soon as they become available.
We thank all of our members for their continued patience on this awaited and imperative report. We look forward to sharing it with our members and the public, and are ready to work collectively to create the best path forward for our union as a whole.
—Task force members
Earlier this spring, we hired a consultant to interview members, assess and evaluate the culture of our union’s Pittsburgh Post-Gazette unit, as well as identify areas of improvement. The interviews are concluded and the consultant has produced a report. Harassment, a form of discrimination, is prohibited under our parent union’s Policy on Mutual Respect.
First, we want to thank everyone who took the time to share their insights, experiences and ideas. This truly wouldn’t have been possible without your honesty, bravery, reflection, engagement and commitment to this union.
The report is meant to both provide insights on the culture now and in the past, as well as offer a path forward. Rebecca Feaster, the consultant that conducted the listening series and crafted the final report, has outlined several recommendations for areas of improvement.
Guild leaders at both the local and international level are committed to following through on those recommendations and creating a more welcoming, inclusive and safe environment for all our members.
The report will be posted to our website on Wednesday.
Ms. Feaster will give a presentation to members of the Post-Gazette unit on Thursday, August 5 at noon to discuss her findings and recommendations as well as answer any questions.
There will also be a town hall forum at 7 p.m. ET Thursday for all NewsGuild members. Register for that here.
Your help and commitment to the Guild has been essential through this process. Please know your Guild leaders are just as committed to making positive change.
In solidarity,
The Listening Tour Task Force
Lacretia Wimbley, Newspaper Guild of Pittsburgh president
Lauren Rosenblatt, Newspaper Guild of Pittsburgh third vice president, co-chair Human Rights Committee
Alyssa Brown, Newspaper Guild of Pittsburgh former secretary, co-chair Human Rights Committee
Grace Catania, Chicago NewsGuild vice president, former chairperson National Women’s Committee
Jon Schleuss, NewsGuild-CWA president
Marian Needham, NewsGuild-CWA executive vice president