Warrants signed in union act

Published 12:00 am Tuesday, September 14, 1999

Municipal Judge John Tipton on Monday signed warrants for 10 members of Steelworkers Local 303L on charges of trespassing in connection with Saturday’s break-in at Titan Tire of Natchez.

The warrants stem from an incident Saturday in which dozens of striking union members involved in a protest at the tire plant pushed through an unlocked gate and entered the property. The rally marked the one-year anniversary of the union’s labor strike against Titan.

None of the union members, whom Police Chief Willie Huff would not name, had been arrested as of late Monday.

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Those sought were identified by Titan officials from security tapes of the incident. More warrants could be issued, including warrants for out-of-town union members involved in the incident, Huff said. A trespassing charge carries a maximum penalty of a $500 fine and six months in jail.

And after watching tapes of the incident Monday, Huff said he will not grant the union another parade permit.

&uot;From what I’ve seen of those films, (the incident) had the potential for violence,&uot; Huff said, noting the union can still appeal to Mayor Larry &uot;Butch&uot; Brown and the Board of Aldermen for permits.

Union members broke through a gate outside the plant and walked into the factory after a Saturday rally marking the one-year anniversary of Local 303L’s strike against Titan’s Natchez plant.

Leo &uot;T-Bone&uot; Bradley, Local 303L president, said he would not comment on Huff’s stance on future permits.