Post-Gazette Publisher Hit With Unfair Labor Practice Charge

PITTSBURGH, PA - The union representing Pittsburgh Post-Gazette editorial employees has filed unfair labor practice charges against Publisher John Robinson Block after a newsroom incident in which he allegedly threatened to fire union leaders and other workers.

Newspaper Guild of Pittsburgh officials have stated in emails that Block went “berserk” in the incident Saturday evening as he loudly screamed, threatened terminations and complained that his family had lost millions of dollars publishing the newspaper.

The union has released eyewitness accounts of the incident.

“Personally, I was horrified by what I witnessed,” reporter Andrew Goldstein wrote in one of the accounts. “I actually noticed that my heart was racing. It was sickening and one of the worst things I’ve ever had the displeasure to witness, certainly in an office setting.

Block’s twin brother, Allan, the chairman of P-G owner Block Communications, issued a statement on the incident Tuesday to Andrew Conte of Point Park University’s Center for Media Innovation.

“The frustration over financial and other challenges in the newspaper industry led to an unfortunate exchange with employees of which I have been made aware,” Block said in a post published in NEXTpittsburgh.

“Block Communications regrets if anyone present may have misconstrued what occurred as anything other than an indication of strong concern and support for the legacy and future of the Post-Gazette.”

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