In a press release Friday, the United Steelworkers union said it will file charges against the Cascade Steel mill security guard in McMinnville, Oregon who "intentionally struck and injured a USW member who was picketing early Thursday morning." The victim, Lee Frakes, sustained a serious injury and was hospitalized. He is now being treated at home but is unable to walk. USW President Leo Gerard said the union will also file an unfair labor practice charge over the incident against Cascade with the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB).
"We are shocked and outraged that the driver was merely given a traffic citation, even though the evidence is clear that he struck the USW picketer with his vehicle on purpose," Gerard said. "We want to know why he was not arrested and taken into custody. A person who deliberately tries to run over another human being deserves much more than a traffic citation. Assault or even attempted murder would be more appropriate."
About 300 members of USW Local 8378 have been on strike over unfair labor practices at Cascade since April 8.