Before U.S. West won a tentative agreement with the Communications Workers of America on Aug. 30, the 2-week strike was marred by union violence. On Aug. 21 U.S. District Judge Stephen L. Henriod issued a temporary restraining order prohibiting CWA from threatening and intimidating people entering or leaving U.S. West buildings. The order came after the company submitted a half dozen affidavits of threats and intimidation:
- A contractor was approached at his motel by 3 people, including one who threatened to “take you out if I see you working.” The contractor said the person making the threat had a gun. Police have charged a CWA member with public intoxication and making threats with a gun in the incident.
- Militants at a rally blocked the entrance to a company parking lot.
- A company manager working to maintain service during the strike was struck in the head with a rock. His car window was broken by a rock.
- A picketer came up behind a security guard and set off a mechanical bullhorn next to her ear.
“I can’t imagine that the union would support this kind of activity,” said company spokesman Michael Frandsen. “The specter of this kind of violence and intimidation goes too far.”