Striking Dairy Worker Assaulted

A striking Broadview Dairy worker was assaulted Monday afternoon, allegedly by the friend of a replacement worker.

“I was just minding my business and this guy jumped all over me,” said Jim Cottier, who was on the picket line at Cataldo and Washington about 3:30 p.m. Cottier said he was hit “all over” and kicked in the head.

About 47 workers - members of Teamsters Local No. 582 - went on strike Nov. 1 following failed contract negotiations with the downtown dairy. Some positions have temporarily been filled by replacement workers.

Another picket, Dan Fitzpatrick, said he saw a Chevrolet Impala or Caprice turn south onto Washington from Cataldo and stop in the parking lot of Caterina Winery.

Two men, one a replacement worker, got out and approached the pickets, Fitzpatrick said. The replacement worker asked a security guard to let him into the building because he’d forgotten his keys, Fitzpatrick said.

Later, the replacement worker’s friend pushed Cottier down and started punching and kicking, according to Cottier and Fitzpatrick.

Cottier was treated and released at Sacred Heart Medical Center.

Police are investigating the incident. No arrests have been made.

, DataTimes