Posted on 03/22/2005 11:57:50 AM PST by Nightbird
Security guards protecting union opponent
By J.D. Walker -- Staff Writer, The Courier-Tribune Posted: 03/15/05 - 10:20:19 pm CST
HIGH POINT - A Thomasville man is under 24-hour security detail after allegedly being threatening because of his opposition to union activity at his workplace.
Jeff Ward filed a complaint against the United Auto Workers (UAW) union at Thomas Built Buses after a card-check petition verified in March 2004 established the union as the sole representative for employees there. The Thomas Built plant is located half in Guilford and half in Randolph counties.
Ward filed his complaint with the help of the National Right to Work Foundation (NRWF).
Union organizing activities stopped March 10 of this year when the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) and Freightliner officials agreed that the card-check agreement was invalidated, based on Ward's complaint.
Now Ward has asked for help in determining who is circulating fliers at the Thomas Built Buses plant that NRWF says "constitutes a threat" and an "inducement for individuals to harass or do violence to Mr. Ward's person, family and/or property."
Justin Hakes, a spokesperson for Ward and the NRWF, said Ward discovered the fliers after returning from time off at the plant last week.
Hakes said the fliers contain Ward's phone number and detailed driving directions to his residence. He said, the flyer reads: "Jeff Ward lives here. Go tell him how you really feel about the union."
The NRWF hired Corporate Security International, Inc. to guard Ward and his family. Hakes said the foundation took the action after Ward, a Thomasville resident, asked for help from the Thomasville police. That help, according to Hakes, was denied.
"Given the documented role of UAW militants in union violence, it'd be unwise to take chances when it comes to the safety of Jeff Ward, his wife and his children," said Foundation Vice President Stefan Gleason in a press release Tuesday. "Union violence is a harsh reality and Mr. Ward and his family should not have to live in fear simply because he came forward to assert his rights and the rights of his fellow employees."
According to the same press release, foundation staff attorney Bill Messenger called on the district attorneys for Guilford and Davidson counties as well as the Thomasville and High Point police chiefs to investigate the harassment.
Representatives at the Davidson County DA's office, the Thomasville police and High Point police said Tuesday they have not received any request from the foundation.
The Guilford County DA could not be reached.
Attempts to contact the UAW and representatives at the Thomas Built plant for comment were unsuccessful.
Hakes said the request has been sent through the mail and should arrive soon.
He said it is not uncommon for those in opposition to unionization to receive threats or be the subject of harassment.
Hakes said the security will remain in place "until we feel they (Ward and his family) are safe."
Two can play at this. Maybe some good old boys should pay the local union officials a visit.
Bunch of guys used to do this in Germany in the late 30's...what were they called again..oh yeah, Brown-shirts...
UAW Region 8 President Gary Casteel
Reg8@uaw.net
151 Maddox-Simpson Parkway
Lebanon, TN 37090-5345
TEL: (615) 443-7654
FAX: (615) 443-7697
PUBLIC RECORD
No, but I am sure that the locals know - probably had to deal with them in the plant.
Cops have unions, too. And they tend to stick together.
Count me in.
Falling to Junk (General Motors going bankrupt)
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/1368293/posts?page=2
they may have to resort to playing (amongst) or with themselves soon...
It's tough to tell what's REALLY going on.
Hakes said the fliers contain Ward's phone number and detailed driving directions to his residence. He said, the flyer reads: "Jeff Ward lives here. Go tell him how you really feel about the union."
Tactics of personal harassment is stupid on many levels.
On the one hand, it COULD be pro-union idiots who are making these threats....
OTOH, it could ALSO be anti-union idiots employing "dirty tricks" to discredit the organization attempt.
One of those situations where you need facts instead of emotional biases.
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