Workers and supporters of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette picketed outside the Butler Eagle printing facility Saturday night to deter "scab" newspapers from being distributed.
The strike began in early October after workers at the Post-Gazette rejected a new healthcare proposal that would contain premiums considerably higher than their previous coverage. Workers rejected the company's proposal, resulting in the termination of their health insurance.
Workers from the Post-Gazette, that are members of Communications Workers of America Local 14842 and 14827 unions, have received outside support from other unions including members of Teamsters Local 205/211, Pressmen's Union GCC/IBT Local 24M/9N, and the Pittsburgh NewsGuild (TNG-CWA Local 38061).
The management at the Post-Gazette seem to have a support system of their own, as the Butler Eagle provides a place for the publication to be printed and distributed despite the on-going strike.
Ron Vodenichar, the president and publisher at the Butler Eagle, said in a statement on October 20, 2022 that the Butler Eagle is temporarily printing the Post-Gazette.
"Only through the assistance of a third party will the jobs of the workers -- and even the future of the company -- survive," Vodenichar said.
The Sunday edition of the Post-Gazette was being printed and distributed from the Butler Eagle printing facility, located at 514 West Wayne St. in Butler, on Saturday.
According to John Clark, president of the Mailers Local 22 union, this is the third production night picketers have stood outside of the Butler Eagle.
Clark explained that the group has been picketing outside of the Butler Eagle and attempting to peacefully stop the delivery trucks from passing.
"Tonight was a little bit of an escalation," Clark said. "The truck drivers seemed to have sprayed us with mace. It got a little more violent than previous nights."
"It's unfortunate," he said, "but that's what happens in strikes."
Zack Tanner, the Pittsburgh Newspaper Guild President, shared his experience outside of the printing facility.
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