by Vicki Beebe Union labor organizations from Local Lodges to the AFL-CIO cry the word Solidarity in so many ways.  It is Labor’s mantra. We have bumper stickers, web banners, songs, proclamations and great speeches about the virtues and values of solidarity. It has been used so often and for so long, the cliché seems worn out and tired. Quite frankly, in our fast paced lives we have become desensitized to the word. In this economic downturn, it is easier to think only about your own survival much less worrying about someone else. Our limited time and resources have to be rationed to care about number one! I had the opportunity though to see true unity and solidarity at work. To witness the real strength and power it can unleash. How unity and solidarity can work for union members when we all look out for each other, not just me not just you, but us. Solidarity and unity transforms a union’s ability to protect and defend their members. The Pittsburgh Post Gazette has been family owned by the Block family since 1927. It is 99 percent union and the Paper speaks a liberal voice. The Gazette employs around 800 people.  The Pittsburgh Newspaper Unions Unity Council was formed during the 1992 strike against the Gazette.  The strike began after The Pittsburgh Press, an afternoon daily with a circulation of 226,000, owned by Scripps Howard announced a new delivery system that would eliminate as many as 450 Teamsters drivers' jobs. The Press and the smaller Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, a morning paperthat had a circulation of 162,000, published under a joint operating agreement. Under that arrangement, the two papers shared printing, distributing and advertising expenses as well as profits, but maintained separate, competing news staffs. It also meant that the drivers' strike against the Press shut down the Post-Gazette as well. “He tried to get rid of good paying jobs for low pay no benefits. Scripps Howard lied to the media at that time when he was asked if he was hiring replacement workers. He told the media no, but was hiring people for the few jobs left through a sub-agency in Boston,” explained Joe Molinero, President of Teamsters Local 211. The paper was shut down for 6 months because so many other unions honored the Teamster’s strike and would not cross their picket line.“We learned our lessons from that strike and the Pittsburgh Newspaper Unions Unity Council was formed. The Unity Council consists of the 11-12 unions at the Pittsburgh Post Gazette.   R.J. Hufnagel, Assistant Editor and President of the CWA Newspaper Guild of Pittsburgh explained, “all unions in the Unity Council have an equal voice. We bargain together on economic issues such as pensions, healthcare and wages. We put similar language in all of our contracts. The Company knows they have to deal with all of us in negotiations.”  “The Pittsburgh Post Gazette tried to outsource the janitors, members of SEIU. The Unity Council stuck together and the SEIU jobs were preserved,” said Joe Molinaro. With the Unity Council, all contract have the same end date. We may begin our negotiations at different times, but we all end together.” “The industry is changing and our members are having a hard time recognizing things won’t be the same as 20 or 30 years ago, said Joe. Our unions in the Unity Council have given concessions since 1922. We have written into our contracts buyout language to avoid layoffs.” The Unity Council works with management at the Pittsburgh Post Gazette to find ways to generate new revenue streams. Our members are doing more for less but we are all committed to helping the Paper endure. “What would the country be without newspapers?” “Newspapers are the check and balance in any city. Without watchdogs, it could be devastating.  Newspapers serve as an independent voice in America,” said R. J. “Pittsburgh is still a good labor town and always will be. People here take pride in what they do and are good at their jobs. They accept what they have to do to survive