Frontier beating: could be felony

Lynn Waddell

Thursday, Jan. 29, 1998 | 10:51 a.m.

First published on April 27, 1993.

Union pickets of the Frontier Hotel could face felony charges in the beat ing two Southern California tourists, an incident a Metro Police official called the most severe fracas of the 20-month strike.

Metro is trying to identify those who attacked the two tourists as they passed before a union, picket line in front of the Frontier Hotel security captured the attack on tape.

"It's very disturbing," said Metro spokesman Carl Fruge. "It's the most serious incident we've had on the strike line. This wasn't a fight. This was a beating."

The videotape shows Sean and Doris White passing the Frontier picket line then Doris appears to take offense to remarks made by picketers. When she starts arguing with the picketers, she is slugged in the face.

Sean White, who had already crossed e street, runs back to aid her and is hit in the face, apparently with a beer mug two other men from the picket line join in beating Sean White on Las Vegas Boulevard. Meanwhile, Doris White tries to intervene and is beaten by a woman with a stick.

The two were taken to the hospital, treated and released. Sean White, from Agura, Calif., was treated for a cut on his face. Doris White is from Simi Valley, Calif. The two have since returned to their homes.

Unions officials aren't saying much about the incident, but acknowledged that tensions are high on the picket line.

"There's no doubt that tempers have been flaring. These people have been out there 20 months," said Jim Arnold secretary-treasurer of Culinary Local 228 the largest of five unions striking the Frontier.

Fruge said Culinary officials are working with Metro to identify the attackers.

Since the strike began, there have been 30 to 40 complaints of pushing and shoving on the picket line, but that's not usual for a long strike, Fruge said Arnold said the union discourages violence and will do anything to help Metro identify the attackers."We never have and never will condone violence," Arnold said.