The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette is scheduled to publish its final edition and cease operations on Sunday, May 3. The announcement was made on Wednesday by its owner, Block Communications, which cited financial losses exceeding $350 million over the past two decades and recent court decisions as reasons for the closure. The newspaper, which has been in continuous publication since 1786, concluded a multi-year worker's strike in November.
Closure Details and Stated Reasons
Block Communications stated that the newspaper's operations were no longer sustainable due to significant cash operating losses. The company reported incurring over $350 million in cash operating losses for the newspaper over the last 20 years.
Additionally, Block Communications cited recent court decisions that would mandate the Post-Gazette to operate under a 2014 labor contract. The company described the terms of this contract as imposing "outdated and inflexible operational practices," which it stated made continued publication unfeasible. Block Communications expressed regret regarding the impact of this decision on the Pittsburgh region.
Labor Dispute and Legal Context
The decision to cease operations followed the U.S. Supreme Court's denial of the Post-Gazette's request to stay a U.S. 3rd Circuit Court order. This order mandates the company to reinstate a contractual health care plan that had been altered in 2020. Journalists from the Post-Gazette had concluded a three-year strike and returned to the newsroom in November.
Andrew Goldstein, president of the Newspaper Guild of Pittsburgh, stated that the owners chose to close the newspaper rather than comply with the law. He affirmed the union's commitment to exploring all options to maintain journalistic standards in Pittsburgh. The union also noted that Block Communications remains obligated to compensate all bargaining unit employees for costs previously incurred.
Historical Background and Related Closures
The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette was founded in 1786 as The Pittsburgh Gazette and adopted its current name in 1927. The newspaper has covered the Pittsburgh Steelers since the team's inception in 1933. The closure follows that of the Pittsburgh Press in 1992, another prominent local newspaper.
In a related development, Block Communications also announced the cessation of operations for the Pittsburgh City Paper, an alternative weekly publication established in 1991.
Impact and Broader Industry Context
The closure is expected to affect the newspaper's staff, including its sports reporting team, which includes Gerry Dulac, Brian Batko, Ray Fittipaldo, and Jason Mackey. The future employment of these and other staff members remains undetermined.
The newspaper industry has faced economic challenges, including a shift toward online media and increased competition from digital platforms, contributing to financial difficulties for many publications.
The Post-Gazette's final coverage period is expected to include the 2024 NFL Draft, scheduled to be held in Pittsburgh from April 23-25.