Conan the Librarian on Two Years of Striking

Stephen Karlinchak, a.k.a. “Conan the Librarian,” has worked for the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette since 1990 and reflects on two years of striking. He writes, “As the strike, the longest ongoing one in the country, reaches its once unfathomable two-year anniversary, I am still here, with plenty to think about and plenty for which to be grateful, believe it or not.” Stephen continues, saying, “During the past 24 months, I haven’t been dependent 'on the kindness of strangers' but on the support and strength of my [union] brothers and sisters.”

You can read Stephen’s full story here.

In October 2022, journalists and other news workers at the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette walked off the job over unfair labor practices committed by their employer. No one expected this to become the longest-running strike in America, but more than 700 days later, workers are still locked in a fight against an employer the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) has already ruled against for multiple breaches of federal labor law. The NLRB has filed for an injunction to force the Post-Gazette to comply with its rulings, and the hearing will take place on October 28. Strikers plan to rally outside the courthouse prior to the hearing, then attend the proceedings.

To support striking workers and families, you can do any of these three things today:

1. Donate to the strike fund that's used to pay for rent, utility bills, car repairs, groceries, and to keep their pets alive and well.
    
2. Order a T-shirt repping their strike publication, the Pittsburgh Union Progress. All proceeds go to the same strike fund.
    
3. Subscribe to the Pittsburgh Union Progress for free news on the strike, the lives of working people in Western PA and beyond, and more.