L’Observateur / April 18, 2000

GRAMERCY – Two Kaiser strikers had their day in court for picket line violations last week. Each was ordered away from the picket lines at theplant for six months.

Kelsey Simon, 1313 Bellevue, LaPlace, was cited for having a firearm at the picket line. Craig Harrison, 2214 Church St., Vacherie, was charged withdisturbing the peace by using foul language at the picket line.

According to United Steelworkers of America Local 5702 President Wayne Stafford, Simon was hunting rabbits along the side fence line and had, in fact, already put the weapon away in his vehicle by the time deputies arrived.

The deputies had been summoned by Kaiser security.

“It was obvious they made a mistake,” Stafford said of Kaiser security.

The responding deputy testified that Simon had obviously been hunting and immediately cooperated when questioned.

Harrison was cited for a disturbance on the picket line when he apparently got into an argument with another striker and used foul language. Kaisersecurity summoned a deputy in response.

Three other strikers were also summoned to court at the same time, and those cases were immediately thrown out.

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