Newspaper Guild members allege anti-union discrimination in Post-Gazette offer letters

Source: Pittsburgh City Paper

by Colin Williams May 4, 2026

Members of the Newspaper Guild of Pittsburgh see anti-union discrimination in the way the Baltimore-based Venetoulis Institute for Local Journalism is planning to staff the Post-Gazette as the institute takes ownership of the publication this week. The news comes not long after Venetoulis had said in a statement that it had “decided to recognize the union in accordance with labor law.”

After offer and rejection emails went out Wednesday and Thursday, Guild representatives said Venetoulis had not rehired around 40% of PG newsroom staff. That included all but one current union officer. The Guild noted that those affected included members of the team that won a Pulitzer for coverage of the 2018 Tree of Life synagogue shooting.

“It doesn’t matter how good I am at my job, or how eager I am to cover this city. Venetoulis doesn’t care about that,” PG digital editor Natalie Duleba said in a release. “They just care that I’ve been a vocal and visible face of our strike and our union.”

The news was bitter for Guild members who spent three years striking against former PG (and former Pittsburgh City Paper) owners Block Communications, Inc. in pursuit of better working conditions. BCI had resisted Guild calls for improved healthcare, pay, and leave policies. The strike divided the newsroom, and BCI hired non-union staff amid acrimonious demonstrations and a protracted legal battle.


Read more: https://www.pghcitypaper.com/news-2/labor/newspaper-guild-members-see-anti-union-discrimination-in-post-gazette-layoffs/