Pittsburgh newspaper workers ratify contract

2/26/2007

PITTSBURGH The last of the 14 bargaining units at the financially ailing Pittsburgh Post-Gazette voted to ratify a new contract that includes staff reductions, net pay cuts, and changes in health-care benefits.

The newspaper s editorial union approved the deal Thursday, and the last unions voted in favor of the 39-month contract on Saturday. They had been working under the terms of five-year contracts that expired Dec. 31.

Under the new contracts, all bargaining units, representing more than 1,100 employees, will have wages frozen over the life of the contract, and employees must divert 5 percent of their wages toward health care.

The newspaper is owned by Block Communications Inc., which also owns The Blade.