From: "Curtis Price" <cansv-AT-igc.apc.org>
Date:          Wed, 2 Jul 1997 11:24:08 +0000
Subject:       (Fwd) Strikers fired upon (fwd)


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Date:          Wed, 2 Jul 1997 00:24:49 -0700
Reply-to:      LABNEWS - News and Organizing about the Labor Movement
               <LABNEWS-AT-CMSA.BERKELEY.EDU>
From:          Nathan Newman <newman-AT-garnet.berkeley.edu>
Subject:       Strikers fired upon (fwd)
To:            Multiple recipients of list LABNEWS <LABNEWS-AT-CMSA.BERKELEY.EDU>

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Date: Tue, 01 Jul 1997 23:18:40 -0600 (MDT)
From: Len Wilson <lbw-AT-cougar.com>
Reply-To: UNITED <united-AT-cougar.com>
To: united-AT-cougar.com
Subject: Strikers fired upon



FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: June 20, 1997



STEELWORKER PICKETS FIRED ON THIS MORNING AT MSI PLANT IN MARIETTA;

WORKERS SAY SHOTS FIRED FROM DIRECTION OF PLANT RUN WITH SCAB LABOR



Marietta, Ohio -- The United Steelworkers of America (USWA) said three
pickets narrowly escaped injury today when a gunman laid down a barrage of
shots into and around a trailer being used as a headquarters by workers on
strike against Magnetic Specialty Inc.

Union representatives said that replacement workers brought in to break the
18-week strike at MSI have repeatedly threatened union members with
firearms, and pose a threat to the community.

Last month, one of MSI's strikebreaking recruits gunned down a state trooper
in Charleston, W.V., before being shot twice and apprehended. USWA
representative Gary Cochran said another MSI replacement recently threatened
Steelworker pickets with a .357 magnum pistol, and was picked up by police,
though the offender continues to work at the plant.

"The union members are standing united," said striker Gary West, one of
three workers on the picket line when the shots were fired. The other two
union members present were Shawn Carpenter and Darrin Fulton.

West said that at approximately 2:30 a.m. today several shots were fired at
the union pickets on Gilman St., four of which hit the trailer. He said
police found one of the bullets, which is being examined. No arrests have
been made.

West, who was also present during the police investigation, said, "The shots
seemed to come from the area of MSI's loading docks." He said the union's
picnic table, chairs and picket signs were stolen and thrown into the river
last night.

No union members have been accused of misconduct during the labor dispute,
which Cochran says stems from MSI manager Gary Murphy's refusal to negotiate
with workers after employees voted in a National Labor Relations Board
election to be represented by the Steelworkers Aug. 17, 1995 by a margin of
65 to 33.

"Yesterday, union supporters passed out handbills about the strike at a
restaurant and bar in Marietta where MSI manager like to hang out. This
morning, we get these gun shots," Cochran said.

Cochran said that despite the hostility union workers have faced in this
strike, they are more determined than ever to see it through to a successful
conclusion.

MSI produces magnet strips used on refrigerators and in the automotive
industry.



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