Court Orders Pittsburgh Post-Gazette to Restore Health Benefits for Striking Workers

The Third U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals has ordered the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette to restore health care benefits to striking workers and to resume negotiations with the Newspaper Guild of Pittsburgh, marking a significant victory for the union after 29 months of striking. The court found that the Post-Gazette had illegally implemented changes to employee health insurance in 2020 and mandated the company to submit regular bargaining progress reports to the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB). Zack Tanner, president of the Newspaper Guild, described the ruling as a major win not only for the strikers but for all workers advocating for their rights. The appeal comes amidst ongoing disputes over the company's previous contract, which expired in March 2017, and the court's decision is expected to enforce broader terms of the prior agreement, including back pay and improved benefits. The Post-Gazette has indicated plans to appeal the ruling while workers look to discuss its implications on the strike's future. This strike is noted as the longest in U.S. history, highlighting the tensions between labor rights and management practices in the media industry.