A judge ruled Thursday that the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette violated federal law by bargaining in bad faith with its journalists union and unilaterally implementing working conditions after breaking off negotiations for a new contract.
Judge Geoffrey Carter of the National Labor Relations Board ordered the Post-Gazette to end the impasse it declared in 2020, undo changes to working conditions, restore the guild’s 2014-17 contract, and start bargaining within 15 days.
The ruling that management violated the National Labor Relations Act “is a monumental victory for Newspaper Guild of Pittsburgh workers,” said Zack Tanner, Newspaper Guild of Pittsburgh president. “This ruling undoes years of illegal behavior by the Post-Gazette and tells it loud and clear that when workers stand and fight together, they win.”
Post-Gazette management says it plans to appeal the decision.
“We strongly disagree with the administrative law judge’s decision and will appeal the decision to the [National Labor Relations Board] in Washington and, if necessary, to the Court of Appeals,” newspaper spokeswoman Allison Latcheran said.
The Newspaper Guild of Pittsburgh this week will reach the 100th day in its strike against the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette’s administration, the guild said in a statement.
The work stoppage began on Oct. 18 for the guild, which represents reporters, photographers, editors, designers and artists in the Post-Gazette newsroom. Post-Gazette employees belonging to unions representing production, distribution and advertising workers went on strike two weeks earlier.
Many workers have crossed picket lines to continue working at the newspaper as the strike continues.
The guild has been without a contract since 2017.
