Criminal frame-up charges against Longshore workers and their supporters are still grinding through the courts here in the wake of the ILWU’s victory against EGT Development’s union-busting campaign.
More than 200 union members and supporters were arrested in the course of protests during the eight-month battle in which the cops, courts and government sided against the Longshore workers. Three still face trumped-up felony charges.
Scores of union militants have been cleared of charges. In many cases, prosecutors have dangled plea bargain deals, pressing for guilty pleas in exchange for sentences substantially lower than the union stalwarts would risk having imposed if convicted by trial.