# Pittsburgh Union Progress

> Mediated Wiki article. Canonical URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Pittsburgh_Union_Progress
> Markdown URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Pittsburgh_Union_Progress.md
> Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pittsburgh_Union_Progress
> Source revision: 1341375991
> License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/)

The ***Pittsburgh Union Progress*** (***PUP***) was a [strike newspaper](/source/Strike_newspaper) published by striking journalists of the [*Pittsburgh Post-Gazette*](/source/Pittsburgh_Post-Gazette) in [Pittsburgh](/source/Pittsburgh), [Pennsylvania](/source/Pennsylvania) from 2022 to 2025. It was formed days after *Post-Gazette* journalists struck in October 2022, publishing in an [online-only format](/source/Online_newspaper). The *PUP* published over 4,000 articles over the course of the three-year *Post-Gazette* strike, and ceased publication in November 2025 as the strike concluded.[1]

## History

The current iteration of the *Pittsburgh Post-Gazette* began publishing in 1993, after it bought the historically larger paper [*The Pittsburgh Press*](/source/The_Pittsburgh_Press), formerly owned by [Scripps Howard](/source/Scripps_Howard). The *Post-Gazette* was owned by [Block Communications](/source/Block_Communications), and had operated under a [joint operating agreement](/source/Newspaper_Preservation_Act_of_1970) with the *Press* since 1961. Printing and distribution were operated by the *Press*, and a 1992 strike by distribution workers at the *Press* caused both papers to stop publishing. The 1992 strike concluded after Scripps Howard sold the *Press* to the owners of the *Post-Gazette*, and the merged *Post-Gazette* began publishing in early 1993*.*[2]

Tensions with staff at the merged *Post-Gazette* continued, and increased in the late 2010s with the firing of [political cartoonist](/source/Editorial_cartoonist) [Rob Rogers](/source/Rob_Rogers_(cartoonist)) in 2018[3] and a 2019 incident in the paper's newsroom involving publisher John Robinson Block.[4][5] The *Post-Gazette*'s contract with its newsroom staff, represented by the [NewsGuild](/source/NewsGuild-CWA), expired in 2017. *Post-Gazette* management declared an [impasse](/source/Impasse) in contract negotiations in 2020. In August 2020, *Post-Gazette* journalists authorized a strike by a wide margin, but it was not approved by the national leadership of the NewsGuild.[6][7]

Approximately 60 *Post-Gazette* distribution, production, and advertising staff struck in early October 2022 over changes to their healthcare plans. Journalists in the newsroom held their own strike authorization vote on October 18, which was approved by a much narrower margin than the 2020 vote.[8][6] Many journalists [crossed the picket line](/source/Strikebreaker) and continued working for the *Post-Gazette*, including many of the paper's sports reporters. The [Nieman Journalism Lab](/source/Nieman_Foundation_for_Journalism) described the strike as "the first newspaper strike of the digital age."[9]

The *PUP* began publishing shortly after journalists went on strike, publishing stories to a site built with [WordPress](/source/WordPress). The *PUP* was edited by Bob Batz, Jr., an associate features editor at the *Post-Gazette*.[6] Beginning in December 2022, the [United Steelworkers](/source/United_Steelworkers) provided an office in [their Downtown Pittsburgh headquarters](/source/United_Steelworkers_Building) for use as both a strike headquarters and a newsroom.[9][10]

By December 2022, 45 *Post-Gazette* journalists were on strike, although "dozens" had crossed the picket line.[11] The *PUP* launched an initiative to prevent the *Post-Gazette* from accessing information from sources, asking politicians and organizations to decline interviews with the *Post-Gazette* for the duration of the strike. Politicians honoring the pledge included Pittsburgh Mayor [Ed Gainey](/source/Ed_Gainey) and U.S. Representative [Chris Deluzio](/source/Chris_Deluzio).[11]

In the summer of 2023, the *PUP* held an internship program, hosting two journalism students. In a [*Teen Vogue*](/source/Teen_Vogue) [op-ed](/source/Op-ed), one of the interns described the experience as unique, commenting that they believed they were "the first 'strike paper' interns ever."[12]

The strike concluded in November 2025, and the *PUP* ceased publishing before staff returned to work at the *Post-Gazette*. The *PUP* published its final articles on November 23, 2025.[13]

## Coverage

The *PUP* began with coverage of the strike itself, and expanded into daily coverage and ongoing reporting in multiple beats, including transportation and local sports.[1]

The [*Pittsburgh Jewish Chronicle*](/source/Pittsburgh_Jewish_Chronicle) partnered with the *PUP* to cover the 2023 trial of the accused perpetrator of the [Pittsburgh synagogue shooting](/source/Pittsburgh_synagogue_shooting), utilizing the expertise of both publications.[14] The *PUP* featured ongoing reporting on the 2023 [East Palestine, Ohio train derailment](/source/East_Palestine,_Ohio,_train_derailment), continuing through the paper's final month of operation in November 2025.[1][15]

The *PUP* featured coverage of high school sports in the Pittsburgh area, produced by a small number of the *Post-Gazette*'s sports reporters who struck. The *Post-Gazette*'s sports reporters covering professional baseball, football, and hockey crossed the picket line and did not write for the *PUP*.[16]

## Legacy

The *Post-Gazette* announced in January 2026 that it would cease publication in May 2026. Block Communications wrote in a statement that the closure was due to "outdated and inflexible operational practices" from the journalists' union contract that expired in 2017.[17]

## References

1. Scire, Sarah (2025-11-24). ["What newsroom organizers learned from the years-long strike at the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette"](https://www.niemanlab.org/2025/11/what-newsroom-organizers-learned-from-the-years-long-strike-at-the-pittsburgh-post-gazette/). *Nieman Lab*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20260301014339/https://www.niemanlab.org/2025/11/what-newsroom-organizers-learned-from-the-years-long-strike-at-the-pittsburgh-post-gazette/) 2026-03-01 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2026-01-02.

1. Thomas, Clarke M. (2005). ["The 1992 Strike"](https://digital.library.pitt.edu/islandora/object/pitt%253A31735062136266). *Front-page Pittsburgh: two hundred years of the Post-Gazette*. University of Pittsburgh Press. pp. 274–296. ISBN 978-0-8229-4248-1.

1. Winsor, Morgan (2018-06-16). ["Cartoonist fired for being critical of Trump: 'They've not silenced me'"](https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/cartoonist-fired-critical-trump-theyve-silenced/story?id=55942509). *ABC News*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20260130105950/https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/cartoonist-fired-critical-trump-theyve-silenced/story?id=55942509) 2026-01-30 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2026-01-02.

1. Zraick, Karen & Mervosh, Sarah (2019-02-14). ["Pittsburgh Post-Gazette Journalists Say Publisher Threatened Them in a Tirade"](https://www.nytimes.com/2019/02/14/business/media/john-robinson-block-pittsburgh-post-gazette.html). *The New York Times*. [ISSN 0362-4331](https://www.worldcat.org/issn/0362-4331). Retrieved 2026-01-02.

1. Kludt, Tom (2019-02-19). ["A newsroom tirade and a controversial hire: tension rises at Pittsburgh newspaper"](https://www.cnn.com/2019/02/19/media/pittsburgh-post-gazette-john-block). *CNN*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20260107234419/https://www.cnn.com/2019/02/19/media/pittsburgh-post-gazette-john-block) 2026-01-07 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2026-01-02.

1. Setty, Riddhi (2025-11-18). ["The nation's longest strike is over—but the battle isn't."](https://www.cjr.org/the_media_today/pittsburgh-post-gazette-longest-strike-stoppage-over-guild-cwa-goldstein-third-circuit-court-appeals.php). *Columbia Journalism Review*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20260218023425/https://www.cjr.org/the_media_today/pittsburgh-post-gazette-longest-strike-stoppage-over-guild-cwa-goldstein-third-circuit-court-appeals.php) 2026-02-18 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2026-01-02.

1. Karbal, Ian (2024-12-02). ["The strike at the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette is now the longest in the nation. And it's not over"](https://penncapital-star.com/labor/the-strike-at-the-pittsburgh-post-gazette-is-now-the-longest-in-the-nation-and-its-not-over/). *Pennsylvania Capital-Star*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20250301084734/https://penncapital-star.com/labor/the-strike-at-the-pittsburgh-post-gazette-is-now-the-longest-in-the-nation-and-its-not-over/) 2025-03-01 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2026-01-02.

1. Folkenflik, David (2022-10-23). ["'Pittsburgh Post-Gazette' journalists go on strike"](https://www.npr.org/2022/10/23/1130843157/pittsburgh-post-gazette-journalists-go-on-strike). *NPR*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20251122173724/https://www.npr.org/2022/10/23/1130843157/pittsburgh-post-gazette-journalists-go-on-strike) 2025-11-22 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2026-01-02.

1. Scire, Sarah (2023-01-25). ["The first newspaper strike of the digital age stretches into a new year"](https://www.niemanlab.org/2023/01/the-first-newspaper-strike-of-the-digital-age-stretches-into-a-new-year/). *Nieman Lab*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20260112073908/https://www.niemanlab.org/2023/01/the-first-newspaper-strike-of-the-digital-age-stretches-into-a-new-year/) 2026-01-12 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2026-01-04.

1. Forstadt, Jillian (2022-12-06). ["Post-Gazette strike negotiations continue, this time with health care on the table"](https://www.wesa.fm/economy-business/2022-12-06/post-gazette-strike-negotiations-continue-this-time-with-health-care-on-the-table). *WESA*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20241211042742/https://www.wesa.fm/economy-business/2022-12-06/post-gazette-strike-negotiations-continue-this-time-with-health-care-on-the-table) 2024-12-11 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2026-01-04.

1. Forstadt, Jillian (2022-12-16). ["Public officials heed calls to end communication with Post-Gazette until strike demands are met"](https://www.wesa.fm/politics-government/2022-12-16/public-officials-heed-calls-to-end-communication-with-post-gazette-until-strike-demands-are-met). *WESA*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20221216164036/https://www.wesa.fm/politics-government/2022-12-16/public-officials-heed-calls-to-end-communication-with-post-gazette-until-strike-demands-are-met) 2022-12-16 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2026-01-02.

1. Parks, Delaney (2023-08-21). ["What My Union Girl Summer At a Strike Newspaper Taught Me"](https://www.teenvogue.com/story/pittsburgh-union-progress-strike-newspaper-intern). *Teen Vogue*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20260101135340/https://www.teenvogue.com/story/pittsburgh-union-progress-strike-newspaper-intern) 2026-01-01 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2026-01-02.

1. ["Dog gone: The PUP says thank you and bids you a heartfelt goodbye"](https://www.unionprogress.com/2025/11/23/dog-gone-the-pup-says-thank-you-and-bids-you-a-heartfelt-goodbye/). *Pittsburgh Union Progress*. 2025-11-23. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20251124022147/https://www.unionprogress.com/2025/11/23/dog-gone-the-pup-says-thank-you-and-bids-you-a-heartfelt-goodbye/) 2025-11-24 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2026-01-08.

1. Kampeas, Ron (2023-05-01). ["In an unusual alliance, Jewish media and striking journalists are uniting to cover the Pittsburgh synagogue shooting trial"](https://www.jta.org/2023/05/01/united-states/in-an-unusual-alliance-jewish-media-and-striking-journalists-are-uniting-to-cover-the-pittsburgh-synagogue-shooting-trial). *[Jewish Telegraphic Agency](/source/Jewish_Telegraphic_Agency)*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20231028222121/https://www.jta.org/2023/05/01/united-states/in-an-unusual-alliance-jewish-media-and-striking-journalists-are-uniting-to-cover-the-pittsburgh-synagogue-shooting-trial) 2023-10-28 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2026-01-02.

1. Mellon, Steve (2025-11-11). ["She'd already been 'to hell and back,' then came the derailment"](https://www.unionprogress.com/2025/11/11/shed-already-been-to-hell-and-back-then-came-the-derailment/). *Pittsburgh Union Progress*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20260109220335/https://www.unionprogress.com/2025/11/11/shed-already-been-to-hell-and-back-then-came-the-derailment/) 2026-01-09 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2026-01-08.

1. Assmann, Karin (June 2024). ["We’ve Got a Union, Now What?"](https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/15226379241246667). *[Journalism & Communication Monographs](/source/Journalism_%26_Communication_Monographs)*. **26** (2): 84–153. [doi:10.1177/15226379241246667](https://doi.org/10.1177/15226379241246667). [ISSN 1522-6379](https://www.worldcat.org/issn/1522-6379). Retrieved 2026-01-02.

1. Walker, Mark & Lindner, Emmett (2026-01-07). ["Pittsburgh Post-Gazette Announces It Will Cease Operations"](https://www.nytimes.com/2026/01/07/business/media/pittsburgh-post-gazette-closing.html). *The New York Times*. Retrieved 2026-01-07.

## External links

- [Pittsburgh Union Progress](https://web.archive.org/web/20251124011909/https://www.unionprogress.com/) November 24, 2025 at the Wayback Machine

---
Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Pittsburgh Union Progress](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pittsburgh_Union_Progress) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pittsburgh_Union_Progress?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.