The longest strike in U.S. history could be coming to an end after the court orders the Post-Gazette to restore workers’ health benefits.
The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette union workers are on strike due to disagreements over changes made to their healthcare contracts that began over two years ago.
The union says striking workers will meet in the coming days to discuss the appeals court ruling that will require the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette to restore union workers’ health benefits and resume negotiating a new deal.
A three-judge panel from the 3rd U.S. Court of Appeals issued the injunction, which also requires the Post-Gazette to submit written bargaining progress reports to a National Labor Relations Board compliance officer every 30 days.
The union says the Post-Gazette made “unilateral changes” to the union’s previous contract in 2020 after claiming bargaining had reached an impasse. Wages, vacation time, and health insurance coverage were cut.
Workers were put on a health care plan that cost families as much as $13,000 more per year, according to the Newspaper Guild.
Zack Tanner, Newspaper Guild of Pittsburgh president, said, “Members of the Newspaper Guild of Pittsburgh have stood and fought against the Post-Gazette’s illegal union busting since October of 2022 and today we have been given the victory that we’ve held the picket line waiting for so long. 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.”
NewsGuild-CWA President Jon Schleuss said, “NewsGuild-CWA members have a saying: whatever it takes. 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.”
In January of 2023, a National Labor Relations Board judge ordered the Post-Gazette back to the bargaining table
The strike, the longest in U.S. history, could end after discussions between striking workers after the appeals court ruling.
