Karen Block Johnese and Emily Johnese Escalante are Destroying Union Families in Pittsburgh

Emily Escalante is breaking federal law

I first met Karen Block Johnese in the late 1990’s when she ran the now seemingly dormant Pittsburgh Post-Gazette philanthropic programs. She went on to work with the Pittsburgh Glass Center. Fast forward to 2024 where she is chairwoman of Block Communications. Notably, the company that refuse to negotiate in good faith with the union […]

How Starbucks Helped Me Endure the Pandemic. Until Now.

I used to smirk at people who sat in line, engines idling, for long periods of time at a local Starbucks. I could park, go in, place my order, use the bathroom, collect my order, and walk out while they sat there just waiting. My wife and I spent a lot of time at Starbucks. […]

The Persad Staff Union Q&A

The overworked, underpaid staff who have repeatedly resisted the board and consistently shown that have zero faith in their board leadership. They’ve posted open letters to the board. They have demands. They organized a door decorating contest to demonstrate their cohesion. They value and respect their current Executive Director, Carlos Torres, and seem to believe […]

Frank Stickman, a boy 12 years old, was killed by an elevator in February 1890 in Downtown Pittsburgh

Content Note: description of industrial accident When I think of Labor Day and other hallmarks of organized labor, I now think of a 12-year-old boy. His name was Frank Stickman. I met him during my family tree research. Frankie was born in 1878 to a poor working family living in Duquesne Heights. His parents, Herman […]

Allegheny County LGBT Employees Will Qualify for Domestic Partner Benefits in April

Allegheny County LGBT Employees Will Qualify for Domestic Partner Benefits in April

what a great idea!   http://www.postgazette.com/pg/12063/1214223-455.stm