Butler County judge backs injunction against striking Post-Gazette workers; P-G contacts federal mediator
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A Butler County judge on Tuesday backed an injunction against striking Pittsburgh Post-Gazette union members and their supporters, limiting how they can picket at the Butler Eagle where the newspaper has been printed during the strike.
The court order, which the Butler County Prothonotary posted online Tuesday afternoon, allows only 10 in-motion picketers outside the Butler Eagle at any time. It also bans what it called harassment and the throwing of objects at Butler Eagle property, and restricts picketers’ access to public sidewalks on parts of Butler’s West Wayne Street.
Judge William C. Robinson, Jr. also simultaneously dismissed a request from the five striking unions’ to throw out the measure based on what they called a lack of jurisdiction due to violations of the Pennsylvania Anti-Injunction Act.
“It’s illegal. You can’t stop people from picketing,” Joseph Pass, an attorney for the striking Post-Gazette unions, told the Tribune-Review. “This is a new restriction on free speech. I think the judge overstepped his bounds.”
Pass said he would appeal the matter to Pennsylvania Superior Court.
“We are thankful that the Butler Court took the time to hear the evidence and put a stop to the violent, threatening, and destructive behavior. We hope the unions and their supporters conduct themselves in a peaceful manner going forward,” said Allison Latcheran, director of marketing for the Post-Gazette.
“The Post-Gazette respects the rights of its employees to strike and picket. However, the unions’ actions and those of some of its supporters crossed the line and placed individuals at risk of physical harm.”
Federal mediator contacted
The Post-Gazette also said it has contacted a federal mediator in an effort to move forward with negotiations with the union.
Leadership from the Newspaper Guild of Pittsburgh also could not be immediately reached.
Butler police said Tuesday they were not made aware of any incidents involving picketers at or near the Butler Eagle facility.
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette and Butler Eagle officials were granted a preliminary injunction Friday against the five unions involved in the P-G strike, after accusing them of throwing projectiles at company vehicles, puncturing vehicle tires and threatening employees and vendors.
Pass denied any wrongdoing by the picketers, but countered that “three to four” picketers were attacked by a Post-Gazette loyalist with bear spray.
Post-Gazette employees belonging to unions representing production, distribution and advertising workers went on strike in October. Newsroom workers, represented by the Newspaper Guild of Pittsburgh, launched a strike Oct. 18 in protest of what they consider unfair labor practices by the company.
Newspaper Guild of Pittsburgh officials said their vote to strike was 38-36 in favor. Last month, a group of about 30 employees crossed the picket line, according to union officials and a group of workers who are not striking.