Search News
For the Media
For media inquiries, call CWA Communications at 202-434-1168 or email comms@cwa-union.org. To read about CWA Members, Leadership or Industries, visit our About page.
Strike Triggered at Youngstown Newspaper
A lopsided health care plan and a paltry wage offer led 179 Newspaper Guild members at The Vindicator in Youngstown, Ohio, to strike early Nov. 16, the local's first walkout since an eight-month standoff in 1964.
The strikers, members of TNG-CWA Local 34011, were joined by 25 Teamsters at the newspaper. Readers were canceling subscriptions midweek and drivers honked horns in solidarity as they passed the picket line.
"I'm almost deaf," Local President Tony Markota joked about the ongoing chorus of horns. "We've had tremendous support from the community."
The Youngstown Newspaper Guild contract, covering workers in the newsroom, circulation and classified advertising departments, expired at midnight Nov. 15. Markota said negotiators waited another hour for a final offer from the family-owned newspaper, but couldn't accept what was presented.
Two years ago, Guild members began paying $22.50 a week toward their health care costs, the first time they'd shared in the premium cost. They did so with the understanding that the company was going to spread costs among all employees, including management.
"That's how we sold it to our members," Markota said. "It turns out that not only are management and non-union employees not paying anything toward their health care, the company put them on a better plan than we have."
Guild members, who haven't had a raise in four years, are seeking a flat rate increase of $7.50 a week every quarter for two years, for a total of $60 a week. The company has offered 1 percent, which Markota said works out to about $2.40 a week for the lowest-paid workers.
Markota, a circulation district manager who has been president of the local since 1986, said no Guild members have crossed the picket line. The vote to authorize a strike was 110-2.
"I hope that the solidarity shown by the Guild will make this a short strike and we can reach an agreement soon," TNG-CWA President Linda Foley said.
Markota said members hope so, too, but will fight as long as necessary. They are publishing a weekly strike paper, the Valley Voice, beginning Nov. 19, with a circulation of 50,000. The paper and strike updates are also available on the web at www.valleyvoiceonline.com.
"We'd like to get a contract and go back tomorrow, but if it takes longer, we're prepared," Markota said.
The strikers, members of TNG-CWA Local 34011, were joined by 25 Teamsters at the newspaper. Readers were canceling subscriptions midweek and drivers honked horns in solidarity as they passed the picket line.
"I'm almost deaf," Local President Tony Markota joked about the ongoing chorus of horns. "We've had tremendous support from the community."
The Youngstown Newspaper Guild contract, covering workers in the newsroom, circulation and classified advertising departments, expired at midnight Nov. 15. Markota said negotiators waited another hour for a final offer from the family-owned newspaper, but couldn't accept what was presented.
Two years ago, Guild members began paying $22.50 a week toward their health care costs, the first time they'd shared in the premium cost. They did so with the understanding that the company was going to spread costs among all employees, including management.
"That's how we sold it to our members," Markota said. "It turns out that not only are management and non-union employees not paying anything toward their health care, the company put them on a better plan than we have."
Guild members, who haven't had a raise in four years, are seeking a flat rate increase of $7.50 a week every quarter for two years, for a total of $60 a week. The company has offered 1 percent, which Markota said works out to about $2.40 a week for the lowest-paid workers.
Markota, a circulation district manager who has been president of the local since 1986, said no Guild members have crossed the picket line. The vote to authorize a strike was 110-2.
"I hope that the solidarity shown by the Guild will make this a short strike and we can reach an agreement soon," TNG-CWA President Linda Foley said.
Markota said members hope so, too, but will fight as long as necessary. They are publishing a weekly strike paper, the Valley Voice, beginning Nov. 19, with a circulation of 50,000. The paper and strike updates are also available on the web at www.valleyvoiceonline.com.
"We'd like to get a contract and go back tomorrow, but if it takes longer, we're prepared," Markota said.