Post-Gazette Strikers Win Total Victory in Unanimous Appeals Court Ruling

Striking members of TNG-CWA Local 38061 celebrate victory in their three-year strike against the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. (Photo credit: Jason Cohn, Union Progress)

On Monday, the U.S. 3rd Circuit Court of Appeals ordered the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette (PG) to both restore the contract with NewsGuild-CWA Local 38061 members that the PG illegally tore up and to pay workers back for the costs of those worker rights violations-including PTO, salary, and health care, among other benefits. Guild members at the Post-Gazette have been on strike for three years, running the longest ongoing strike in the country, with the support of CWA members.

The court ruled that the Post-Gazette bargained in bad faith and ordered management to restore the previous contract as well as compensate employees and the local union.

"When we walked out on strike in October 2022, it wasn't just for us and our rights as workers; we were fighting for fair treatment for the future journalists in Pittsburgh and beyond," said Andrew Goldstein, striking education reporter and Newspaper Guild of Pittsburgh president. "Today's victory vindicates our fight and shows that NewsGuild workers will never back down no matter how long it takes."

In the coming days, striking members will vote on when to return to work.

Despite losing in a unanimous decision, the Post-Gazette continued to bully and bluster in a statement threatening to take the case to the Supreme Court or shut down the paper, which would still not relieve ownership of the penalties that continue to accrue daily without PG compliance. Unlike previous court victories, the 3rd Circuit Court of Appeals has enforcement power, and the paper's millionaire owners have run out of legitimate avenues for appeal.

Throughout the three-year strike, neighbors, union members, retirees, and supporters of the workers near and far have provided invaluable support by rallying with strikers, standing on picket lines, and directly confronting Post-Gazette managers and owners for a fair settlement. Many have provided financial support-donating more than $1 million-and boycotted the struck paper.

To help strikers finish the fight, donate to the strike fund. Donations go directly to striking workers' families to cover essentials like rent, groceries, and emergency expenses.