If a dispute between The Newspaper Guild of Greater Philadelphia and the publishers of The Philadelphia Inquirer and Philadelphia Daily News isn’t settled by midnight tonight, the union has announced that instead of simply manning picket lines, members will immediately start publishing their own news website – placing them in immediate and direct competition with the newspapers.
Tom Ferrick, Jr, one of those who intends to join the union action should current lastminute negotiations fail, told AP that in competing with Philly.com, the union’s PhilaPapers.com would sell ads and function like an online news site, covering major stories as well as the strike itself. About 200 people are expected to staff the site, which is to include news, politics, business, sports and entertainment sections.
It’s an interesting development in the tactics used by union activists…