Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: FRIDAY, April 6, 1990 TAG: 9004060427
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: B1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: LAURENCE HAMMACK STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
Roanoke Circuit Court Judge Roy Willett issued a preliminary injunction that restricts picketing by the local chapter of Amalgamated Transit Union, which has been on strike against Greyhound since March 2.
Greyhound officials have said that dozens of striking union members often block buses as they enter the Salem Avenue terminal. As the buses are forced to stop, strikers shout threats and insults at replacement drivers, Greyhound claimed in a lawsuit filed earlier this week.
Bayard Harris, a Roanoke lawyer who represented the company, showed Willett a videotape that captured some of the incidents on film.
Willett seemed most concerned by reports that racial slurs were shouted at black replacement drivers - a tactic that he called "absolutely despicable."
In issuing the injunction, Willett said he was trying to balance the bus drivers' right to strike with "the rights of the community" to travel freely and safely.
Joe Wilson, an executive board member of the local union, said after the hearing that more than eight strikers may still gather across the street from the bus terminal.
However, the order prohibits more than eight strikers - four on the Salem Avenue side of the terminal and four on Campbell Avenue side - within 500 yards of the building.
In seeking the injunction, Greyhound officials said they were especially concerned about reports of a rally at the terminal planned Saturday that could draw more than 200 strikers and supporters.
Harris said that violence and disruptions at the terminal have been "escalating steadily" since the strike began.
"Good-natured ribbing has deteriorated to some anger and animosity," said John Rutledge, a Valley Metro security guard who has dealt with many of the strikers.
Rutledge testified that at least two replacement bus drivers have had their car tires slashed and their windshields shattered.
Although the picket line is usually manned by just a few strikers, Rutledge said the crowd has grown to more than 60 on recent weekend nights.
A videotape taken by a private investigator hired by Greyhound showed strikers walking in front of buses as they attempted to enter the station.
As strikers carrying signs yelled at the so-called "scab" replacement drivers, women clad in camouflage raised the noise level to a higher pitch by beating pots and pans together.
While admitting that they shout threats at the bus drivers, union officials have denied any use of force or violence.
In the injunction, Willett also ordered strikers not to block the bus terminal entrance or nearby sidewalks. If union members violate the court order, they could be brought back to court on contempt charges.
Dean Cranwell, a Vinton lawyer who represented the union, sought to place some of the blame on groups affiliated with the recent United Mine Workers' strike who showed up uninvited to support the striking bus drivers.
"It's a group from Southwest Virginia that's coming up and raising all the Cain," Cranwell said.
Cranwell said the company could have found a way to resolve the problems with strikers short of filing a lawsuit. "They're just trying to jerk the union around," he said.
by CNB