The Nation - News from Sept. 8, 1985

A strike by members of nine unions over a contract dispute stopped publication at Philadelphia’s two daily newspapers. The unions represent 4,774 employees, who had been working at the Philadelphia Inquirer and the Daily News under the old contract for seven days while talks continued. Television stations, attempting to fill the void left by the strike, planned expanded news shows and special strike coverage while newsstands scrambled to satisfy readers by importing suburban and out-of-town papers. Management offered a package that would raise salaries and benefits 17% over three years, but the unions demanded increases of 38%.