Two Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service mediators were present for a scheduled bargaining session Wednesday morning at Downtown’s Omni William Penn Hotel with representatives of all five unions that have been on strike for nearly six months at the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.

The company lawyer — who objected to the presence of a new second mediator and who said he won’t continue to bargain with mediators, and who also cited a health condition — did not attend, nor did any representative for the company.

Ten union leaders and their lawyer, Joe Pass Sr., talked with the mediators in a conference room for about two hours.

The mediators said they could be available again on Thursday morning. Pass still was waiting to hear back from his counterpart whether he or any company representatives will attend.

Bob, a feature writer and editor at the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, is currently on strike and serving as interim editor of the Pittsburgh Union Progress. Contact him at bbatz@unionprogress.com.

Bob Batz Jr.

Bob, a feature writer and editor at the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, is currently on strike and serving as interim editor of the Pittsburgh Union Progress. Contact him at bbatz@unionprogress.com.