Five Union Organizers Attacked
Ironworkers
Local 433 President Robbie Hunter addresses a "Stop the Violence" rally
of over 600 Building Trades and other union members in downtown Los Angeles Mar. 17. Hunter, along with four other organizers, was attacked by non-union contractors while picketing a jobsite.
Click here for photos of rally
Civil Rights Lawsuit Filed Against Non-Union Contractors for Assault
A civil rights lawsuit was filed on Monday, Mar. 17, against several
contractors and multiple unnamed defendants after five union organizers
were brutally assaulted last Friday while engaged in a lawful picket at
a construction site in downtown Los Angeles. The lawsuit filed against
contractors Hirex, Golden Gate Steel and its owner, and the unnamed
defendants seeks unspecified damages for violations of California Civil
Code section 51, assault, battery, and intentional infliction of
emotional distress.
More than 15 workers from the jobsite,
some of whom were wielding iron rebar and 2x4's, violently attacked the
five organizers. As a result, Robbie Hunter, President of Ironworkers
Local 433, was hospitalized after suffering multiple injuries including
a fractured cheek bone and busted lip. He was punched in the face,
struck in the back of the head with a club, and kicked in the face and
leg by the defendants.
"The violent assault against these
union organizers is not only reprehensible, it is also a violation of
their civil rights," said Ellyn Moscowitz, attorney for the plaintiffs.
"These men were attacked because of their position as union organizers;
that makes this a hate crime in the state of California. Employers who
engage in these crimes can expect that the full weight of the legal
system will be brought to bear on them."
In response, over
600 Building Trades and other union members and their allies turned out
for a "Stop the Violence" rally at the jobsite where the union
organizers were attacked.
"We are here to send a message to
all of the non-union contractors in Los Angeles that we will not
tolerate violence against union organizers or any other member of the
Building Trades who are out here fighting for decent wages for
construction workers," said Richard Slawson, Executive-Secretary of the
LA/OC Building and Construction Trades Council. "We are prepared to use
every legal means at our disposal to protect the rights of workers.
These non-union contractors may use these violent tactics from 100
years ago, but we won't stand for it."
In addition to the
injuries sustained by Hunter, IBEW organizer Larry Henderson was struck
by a 2 x4, fracturing his arm. Ironworkers Local 433 organizer Rene
Angeles was hit in the face with a 2x4 and suffered bruises. Kevin
Norton and IBEW organizer Tommy Faavae also suffered bruises.
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