Teamsters President Hoffa Outraged at Assault on Strikers CP Rail Members Accosted on Picket Line

[Omaha Steve]

This is from June first. This strike is over, but I had not heard about this so I posted it.

http://sev.prnewswire.com/transportation-trucking-railroad/20070601/DCF11201062007-1.html

Teamsters President Hoffa Outraged at Assault on Strikers
Canadian Pacific Rail Members Accosted on Picket Line

Teamsters President Hoffa Outraged at Assault on Strikers

WASHINGTON, June 1 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Teamsters Union has filed criminal charges against Canadian Pacific Rail's private police force, who this week assaulted Teamster members who were peacefully striking.

Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way Employes were picketing on public property in front of a Vancouver rail terminal on May 29 when CP Rail security officers began arresting them.

"I am outraged that our members were kicked and dragged away from a peaceful strike line," said Jim Hoffa, Teamsters General President. "CP Rail is not above the law."

The maintenance of way workers at CP Rail, 3,200 hardworking men and women, have been on strike in Canada since May 15 as a result of CP Rail's reluctance to bargain fairly.

"We will not take this sort of treatment from any employer," Hoffa said. "In this case we have filed criminal charges for false arrest, battery and assault to our members. This sort of despicable treatment of our members on a picket line will not be tolerated."

"Our members have worked hard over the years to keep CP Rail a thriving enterprise," Hoffa said. "It's a profitable company that can well afford to increase benefits and wages for our members."

FULL story at link.

[Solo_in_MD]

1. Can a non-governmental organization file criminal charges in Canada

Also would like to know where the video is...cameras are standard at any union activity these days for just this reason.