PITTSBURGH (Newsradio 1020 KDKA) – The Post-Gazette’s newsroom staff has voted to authorize union leaders to call a strike.
The vote was 88 to 31, prompted after the PG’s management declared an impasse in negotiations and implemented parts of their final offer.
The Newspaper Guild of Pittsburgh said in a statement all members were informed of the result by email.
Two other unions at the newspaper have also voted to authorize a strike.
The local guild, representing 123 journalists has been trying to negotiate a new contract for 3 and a half years.
“The newsroom staff has rightfully earned journalistic accolades even as BCI despicably treats its journalists as chattel,” said Guild President Michael A. Fuoco, a reporter at the paper for 36 years. “We are committed to journalism, the Post-Gazette and the community we are humbled to serve and are doing everything we can to avoid a strike.
“We want nothing more than to negotiate a mutually agreed upon settlement. Should the company refuse to rescind the illegal changes to our working conditions, return to the bargaining table and negotiate a fair contract for both sides, we are prepared to withhold our talent from the Post-Gazette, to effectively remove the newspaper’s heart and soul.