Strike Authorized by Staff at Long Beach Press-Telegram
Demanding better pay and benefits, unionized editorial and circulation employees voted Wednesday to authorize a strike against MediaNews, owner of the Long Beach Press-Telegram, union officials said.
Gary North, president of the Southern California Media Guild, Local 39069, said more than 80% of the 200 employees affected voted in favor of the strike authorization.
North said the vote was taken after more than two years of negotiations broke down. No strike date has been set by the guild.
He said MediaNews, which took over the assets of the Press-Telegram two years ago, has slashed wages and benefits at the paper despite concessions from the union.
MediaNews officials could not immediately be reached for comment.
North said the guild plans to ask local city councils to withdraw their legal advertising from the Press-Telegram and is calling for a reader boycott of the paper.
He said the guild is attempting to organize employees at several other papers in the Los Angeles area that have been acquired by MediaNews.
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