On a gray, cold fall Wednesday, striking Post-Gazette workers got a surprise visit from a state politician and spent some time spreading their message to members of the community, while another Pennsylvania newspaper stood up in support of the strike.
The PG strikers on the North Shore were joined Wednesday afternoon by state Rep. Malcolm Kenyatta, who dropped by unannounced and brought coffee and doughnuts to fuel the rest of the day’s picketing.
Kenyatta, who represents a portion of Philadelphia but was in Pittsburgh for a John Fetterman campaign rally, complimented the striking workers on their bravery and their dedication to serving the community through their journalism.
A strong proponent of organized labor, Kenyatta talked about other successful strikes in Pennsylvania and exhorted the PG workers to keep fighting for a fair contract.
Over in Harrisburg, the picket line was going strong for a second straight day.
Harrisburg bureau chief Gillian McGoldrick continued her vigil on the steps of the state Capitol building, where she was joined by APSCUF communications director Kathryn Morton and her husband, Chris.
Kathryn Morton made her own picket sign, which read: “Fair contract now: APSCUF stands with PG workers.”
APSCUF, the Association of Pennsylvania State College and University Faculties, represents faculty at 14 state-owned college campuses across the state.
McGoldrick was also joined once again by Spotlight PA reporter Stephen Caruso, who has supported her at each of her Harrisburg pickets.
Meanwhile, the Post-Gazette and Philadelphia Inquirer, two of Pennsylvania’s largest newspapers, will temporarily halt the exchange of content while PG workers are on strike.
The change was made in response to a number of complaints from Inquirer journalists, who are represented by the NewsGuild of Greater Philadelphia.
Tom Zipfel, the Inquirer’s vice president for labor relations, told the union that he was “able to confirm that no content has been shared directly” between the Inquirer and Post-Gazette since the strike began earlier this month. He added that while the Inquirer “is unwilling to insert itself into the middle” of the strike dispute in Pittsburgh, it was “made aware that Guild members inside our newsroom object to content being used” at the PG while its employees are on strike.
The PG has also lost access to content from Spotlight PA, a nonprofit newsroom powered by the Inquirer, whose journalists are also represented by the NewsGuild’s Philadelphia local.
Back in Pittsburgh, as the North Shore picket line wrapped up for the day, a cohort of striking PG workers stopped by the John Fetterman rally being held at Stage AE — right next door to the PG newsroom.
Guild members passed out flyers and brochures about the PG strike and how the public can help. Most attendees were deeply interested in the strike, with many offering their support, making plans to attend a fundraiser event or chipping in toward the CWA Pittsburgh Striker Fund.
One man in line said he canceled his Butler Eagle subscription after learning the paper was printing scab copies of the PG.
Other rally attendees simply thanked the striking journalists for their work and offered words of support.
Jon Moss contributed.
Alex is a digital news editor at the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, but he's currently on strike.
