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Strikers Strong at Youngstown Newspaper
TNG-CWA members at the Vindicator, a newspaper in Youngstown, Ohio, are standing strong three weeks into the first strike at the newspaper in 40 years, with a rock solid picket line and community backing in their fight for a fair contract.
The parties bargained again this week with the assistance of a mediator, but remain fair apart on key issues of health care, wages, sick leave and others, reported CWA Rep. Jim Schaufenbil.
The 170 members of TNG-CWA Local 34011 have launched an advertisers boycott and are gaining support from local car dealers, grocery store chains and other businesses that are switching their advertisements to the weekly online newspaper published by the strikers, the Valley Voice News, at www.valleyvoiceonline.com. "This certainly is getting the company's attention," Schaufenbil said.
Strikers have the support of the Teamsters, who are honoring the picket line, and other labor groups throughout the Youngstown area. Reporters, photographers, copy editors, circulation district managers, delivery drivers and classified advertising sales workers at the newspaper all are on strike.
Management has proposed a paltry 1 percent wage increase, about 8 cents per hour for the majority of workers who earn less than $9 per hour. Management also reneged on its pledge that all workers - union, nonunion and management - would share the costs of health care coverage. Instead, union workers have seen their benefits decline and their costs increase, while management and nonunion personnel continue to have employer paid premiums and a better health care plan, the local said.
To support the striking workers, labor groups and others can purchase a support ad in the 40-page online newspaper. Call the Valley Voice News at 330-744-0562 or 330-744-0583, or go to www.valleyvoiceonline.com.
The parties bargained again this week with the assistance of a mediator, but remain fair apart on key issues of health care, wages, sick leave and others, reported CWA Rep. Jim Schaufenbil.
The 170 members of TNG-CWA Local 34011 have launched an advertisers boycott and are gaining support from local car dealers, grocery store chains and other businesses that are switching their advertisements to the weekly online newspaper published by the strikers, the Valley Voice News, at www.valleyvoiceonline.com. "This certainly is getting the company's attention," Schaufenbil said.
Strikers have the support of the Teamsters, who are honoring the picket line, and other labor groups throughout the Youngstown area. Reporters, photographers, copy editors, circulation district managers, delivery drivers and classified advertising sales workers at the newspaper all are on strike.
Management has proposed a paltry 1 percent wage increase, about 8 cents per hour for the majority of workers who earn less than $9 per hour. Management also reneged on its pledge that all workers - union, nonunion and management - would share the costs of health care coverage. Instead, union workers have seen their benefits decline and their costs increase, while management and nonunion personnel continue to have employer paid premiums and a better health care plan, the local said.
To support the striking workers, labor groups and others can purchase a support ad in the 40-page online newspaper. Call the Valley Voice News at 330-744-0562 or 330-744-0583, or go to www.valleyvoiceonline.com.