AK Steel Says USWA Continues Reign of Terror Against the Company
19 April 2000
AK Steel Says USWA Continues Reign of Terror Against the Company
MIDDLETOWN, Ohio--April 18, 2000--In a continuing pattern of attacks against AK Steel and its suppliers, members of the United Steelworkers of America, Local 169 terrorized the corporate offices of Securcorp outside Washington, D.C. on Friday, April 14, 2000. Prince William County (VA) police are seeking Raymond L. Delarwelle, Jr., Bellville, Ohio, a member and recently elected official of USWA Local 169, on a charge of assault and battery in connection with the attack.Securcorp, based in Woodbridge, Virginia, is providing temporary plant and personnel security for AK Steel in connection with a labor dispute involving USWA Local 169 at the company's Mansfield, Ohio steel plant. The seven-month-old labor dispute has been marked by violence, including bombs, shootings, assaults and threats, according to AK Steel.
The following is an account of the incident according to Alan H. McCoy, vice president, public affairs for AK Steel:
"At about 3:25 p.m. April 14, approximately eight individuals armed with bullhorns, signs and a video camera burst into the office complex where Securcorp has its corporate office. At least two of the individuals wore clothing emblazoned with USWA Local 169 references. According to the president of Securcorp, who was one of the victims of the attack, the crowd shouted references to `goons' laced with vulgar obscenities and threats throughout the office complex, using a bullhorn to amplify their abusive attack. USWA Local 169 members have publicly referred to the Securcorp security personnel as `goons' throughout the labor dispute.
"Another victim of the attack, an economist for an unrelated company, stated that he feared for his life when the crowd approached his office shouting obscenities and threats. The economist and his company have no relationship to the labor dispute, Securcorp or AK Steel.
"After the protesters refused to leave the Securcorp premises, the president of Securcorp instructed the company's receptionist to make a 911 call to police. As the receptionist attempted to do so, one of the terrorists slammed the phone down preventing the call from being made. As the protesters finally retreated to a van in the parking lot, an attorney for Securcorp grabbed a camera in an attempt photograph them to aid in the police investigation. The driver of the van accelerated into the attorney and hit him twice with the van. The van is registered to Barbara Delarwelle of Bellville, Ohio, and who is the wife of Raymond L. Delarwelle, Jr.," said Mr. McCoy.
Victims of the assault identified a photograph of Raymond Delarwelle as one of the attackers and the driver of the van. That information, as well as the vehicle registration, led Prince William County police to issue a warrant for Raymond Delarwelle's arrest.
In addition, AK Steel said it will file a contempt of court motion in Richland County (OH) Court of Common Pleas, alleging the incident violates an injunction that states in part that the union "shall not commit any acts and/or threats of violence, or harassment toward either the persons or property of any officers, agents, employees, members, prospective employees or members, customers or other persons desiring to do business with Plaintiff (AK Steel);".
"This latest terrorist act makes a complete and absolute mockery of Local 169's public rhetoric of not condoning violence," said Mr. McCoy. "There can be no doubt in anyone's mind that USWA Local 169 continues to believe that AK Steel can be intimidated at the bargaining table by terrorist attacks. That is a foolhardy strategy on the part of Local 169, and one that jeopardizes the safety of any individual who dares voice disagreement with a band of thugs," he said.