Rash Of Incidents, Arrests Linked To Kaiser Strike

Sheriff’s deputies arrested four people and are investigating others in a rash of incidents involving striking Kaiser Aluminum workers and replacements last weekend.

The unrelated incidents began late Friday when Deputy Brett Gores was advised that someone driving a pick-up was blocking and then ramming a Kaiser hot metal truck near Spokane Community College, deputies said.

Gores reviewed Kaiser surveillance videotape of the incident and tracked the pickup to a home in the 15000 block of East Rich. The driver was identified as 60-year-old Ronald R. Willis, who was believed to have been intoxicated when Gores spotted him pulling into the driveway of the home, deputies said.

Willis was charged with driving while under the influence of alcohol, deputies said.

On Saturday evening, a striking Steelworker and his wife blocked the entrance to Kaiser’s Mead plant with their pickup and tried to elude and then assault deputies who were called to the scene, deputies said.

James Alton Hall, 52, and Carol A. Hall, 38, were booked into the Spokane County Jail and charged with obstructing a public servant.

In a third incident, deputies are investigating the report that a Kaiser replacement worker tried to hit striking workers with a steel pipe or bat about 7 a.m. Sunday.

Kaiser spokeswoman Susan Ashe said the replacement worker was fired for the incident.

In a fourth incident, deputies arrested Duane R. Dunlap, a Kaiser replacement worker, at about 4:30 a.m. Monday for carrying a loaded pistol-grip shotgun in his vehicle.

Although tensions on the picket lines appear to have been mounting recently, conflict and violence has been common since the strike began on Sept. 30, sheriff’s deputies said Monday.

The public may now be more aware of incidents on the picket lines because new Sheriff Mark Sterk is making the release of information more of a priority.

“I think the new sheriff feels it is important that the community is aware of what’s going on on the strike line,” said Deputy Dave Reagan, a sheriff’s office spokesman.

Kaiser management does not believe last weekend’s incidents are indicative of typical striking or replacement workers at the plants.

“We believe that a majority of our striking Steelworkers are law-abiding citizens,” Ashe said. “A minority of them have created some difficult issues for us, for everyone.”

Union representatives were not available for comment Monday evening.

Meanwhile, Kaiser also has continued to deal with accidents inside its plants.

A salaried worker who seriously injured his hands last Thursday at Kaiser’s Trentwood plant remains in a Seattle hospital in serious but stable condition, Ashe said. She would not release his identity.