Strikers: ‘Maybe now people will listen’

Lynn Waddell

Friday, Jan. 30, 1998 | 10:35 a.m.

First published on April 30, 1993

Union leaders say they don't condone the Frontier Hotel pickets' attack on two tourists, but some strikers do.

"Maybe now people will listen to us and won't go in there," said a Culinary Union member picketing outside the Strip resort Wednesday. "I shouldn't have to give you my name, because it's the truth that matters and everyone out here will say the same thing."

The assault on two Frontier patrons Sunday night has made national news and raised the dander of local politicians. Clark County Commissioner Jay gingham Wednesday requested a fullscale Metro investigation into the videotaped incident.

Metro Police has vowed to identify and charge the six pickets who attacked the couple.

Jim Arnold, Culinary Union Local 226 secretary-treasurer, said the five picketing unions have never condoned violence. Yet the Culinary Union won't make a judgment on the incident until the investigation is complete.

"If people are guilty, they are guilty, but everyone is innocent until proven guilty," Arnold said. "We don't know if these people were union members or not. There's still a lot of investigating to be done."

A handful of those continuing to walk the picket line Wednesday said they think what happened will help them get a union contract.

"The people who were for us will still be for us," said another picket who refused to give his name. "Maybe it will make people stop and think about what's going on here. We're tired of people yelling at us to get a job."

Some customers inside the Frontier said that although the beating disturbs them, it won't keep them away.

"It worries me so that I don't want to leave the building"" said Sandie Jones of Lake Havasu City, Ariz. "But it's not going to keep me from returning."

Jones, who stays at the Frontier once a month, said she wishes the strike would end.

"I wish they would settle their disagreement," she said. "I'm sure they have some legitimate complaints, but they shouldn't take it out on the tourists."

Gloria Forgione of Winthrop, Mass., said the picket line brawl doesn't "faze me in the least."

"They have a right to say what they want, but they should keep their hands to themselves," Forgione said.

A videotape of the incident shows a man and woman passing the picket line when the woman begins arguing with a striker. Gail White of Moorpark, Calif., was slugged in the face by a female picket.

Her husband, Sean, had already crossed Las Vegas Boulevard but ran back to the picket line, where another picket struck him with a beer mug. Three others joined in, knocking White to the ground.

Gail White vainly attempted to intervene, and a woman struck her with a stick

The couple fled across the street to escape the attackers and called police. They were taken to the hospital, where Sean received stitches on his face.

Gail White, reached at home Wednesday, said the couple can't discuss what happened until they talk to a lawyer.

Exactly what prompted the first swing at Gail is unknown. Some pickets said Gail made racial slurs to black pickets, which she denies.

There have been numerous complaints about Frontier pickets since the strike began 20 months ago, most involving verbal assaults.

Pickets say their slurs are mild compared with what passers-by say to them.

"They say we call people 'scumbag,' but that's not vulgar," a picket said.

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