Pittsburgh Post-Gazette union workers criticize workforce cuts

Union workers at the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette are voicing concerns over significant workforce reductions and alleged discriminatory hiring practices after the Venetoulis Institute officially took ownership of the paper on Monday. Union claims new ownership is cutting at least 40% of staffThe union claims the new ownership is cutting at least 40% of the staff, including 80% of the workers who participated in a years-long strike. Workers reportedly began receiving new offers Wednesday night, while those being let go received rejection letters over the weekend. When the Venetoulis Institute announced its acquisition of the paper, it stated that staff size would shrink. “Unfortunately, they went the route of not only making drastic job cuts overall, but also cutting a lot of the union activists who were a part of the strike who have done nothing wrong except for stand up for their rights and really fight for what is theirs,” Andrew Goldstein, president of the Newspaper Guild of Pittsburgh, said.The Venetoulis Institute also owns the Baltimore Banner, a digital-only news publication known for first exposing sexual assault allegations against Ravens kicker Justin Tucker, which led to his release from the team.

PITTSBURGH —

Union workers at the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette are voicing concerns over significant workforce reductions and alleged discriminatory hiring practices after the Venetoulis Institute officially took ownership of the paper on Monday.

Union claims new ownership is cutting at least 40% of staff

The union claims the new ownership is cutting at least 40% of the staff, including 80% of the workers who participated in a years-long strike.

Workers reportedly began receiving new offers Wednesday night, while those being let go received rejection letters over the weekend.

When the Venetoulis Institute announced its acquisition of the paper, it stated that staff size would shrink.

“Unfortunately, they went the route of not only making drastic job cuts overall, but also cutting a lot of the union activists who were a part of the strike who have done nothing wrong except for stand up for their rights and really fight for what is theirs,” Andrew Goldstein, president of the Newspaper Guild of Pittsburgh, said.

The Venetoulis Institute also owns the Baltimore Banner, a digital-only news publication known for first exposing sexual assault allegations against Ravens kicker Justin Tucker, which led to his release from the team.