Dear readers:

Dear readers:
How can this get any crazier?
First -- even before its first bargaining meeting with the company -- Youngstown Newspaper Guild Local 11 goes to a local non-union publishing company, The Business Journal, to get help in producing its strike paper.
Then the Guild refuses the federal mediators' request to extend the contract and strikes.
Then the Guild goes to a nonunion printer, Lyle Printing & amp; Publishing Co., to have its strike paper printed.
Then the Guild uses a non-union company, the Mahoning Valley Newspapers Inc., to distribute, in part, its paper.
And now, at a press conference Thursday, some two and one-half weeks into the strike, the Guild, for the first time, asked to see The Vindicator's books.
The fact is the Guild international's auditor reviewed our books about 12 years ago. An auditor for the Teamsters Union reviewed our books about four years ago.
Both times the auditors agreed with the company's statements about the newspaper's economic condition.
Since day one of its negotiations with the Guild, the company has said it has been operating in the red for the last seven years.
It seems ridiculous that the Guild did not ask to see the company's books before leading 179 of our employees out on strike during the holidays.
This reckless action has caused all our employees a great deal of pain and uncertainty at what should be a joyful time of the year for everyone.
But, as in the past, we would be willing to make appropriate arrangements to have our books reviewed.
We want to see this strike ended as quickly as possible.
Until then, we will continue to provide our loyal readers, our faithful advertisers and our dedicated carriers with the Valley's biggest and best newspaper.
Betty Jagnow, publisher
Mark Brown, general manager