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WHEREAS, a Free Press is a pillar of American democracy; and,
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WHEREAS, the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, now owned by Block Communications, has been a vital source of information since 1786, reporting authentically and objectively on government activities; and,
WHEREAS, as of October 6, 2022, the workers who are responsible for designing, printing, distributing, advertising sales, accounts receivable, and content creation for the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette are on strike; and,
WHEREAS, the strike is in response to unfair labor practices by the management of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, including unilateral changes to their health care plan; and,
WHEREAS, the workers have been working without a collective bargaining agreement since March 2017; and,
WHEREAS, despite extensive negotiations, Post-Gazette management has refused to engage in good faith bargaining, and the workers have not had a pay raise in 16 years; and,
WHEREAS, these workers are proud members of the following unions: Communications Workers of America (CWA) Local 14842, Communications Workers of America (CWA) Local 14827, Teamsters Local 205/211, Pressmen's Union GCC/IBT Local 24M/9N, and the Newspaper Guild of Pittsburgh (TNG-CWA Local 38061); and,
WHEREAS, labor unions are critical in protecting workers and ensuring that workers are paid a living wage, given better working conditions, and provided a voice on the job; and,
WHEREAS, Pittsburgh has always been a union town and the City of Pittsburgh will always stand with union workers; and,
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Council of the City of Pittsburgh condemns the actions of the owners and management of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette for choosing profits over the needs of their workers and that the Council of the City of Pittsburgh stands in solidarity with all Pittsburgh Post-Gazette strikers; and,
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Council of the City of Pittsburgh does hereby call on Block Communications and the managemen...
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