Pa. ironworkers charged with racketeering, arson
MARC LEVY Associated Press | Updated Yesterday
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — Ten agents or members of a
Philadelphia-area ironworkers union are being charged with federal crimes
including racketeering or arson in an alleged campaign to coerce building
contractors into hiring them over non-union competition.
Federal prosecutors in Philadelphia said the men were
charged and arrested Tuesday.
In a 49-page grand jury indictment, prosecutors say the
defendants and their associates created "goon" squads to carry out
assaults, arsons and property destruction against non-union contractors in an
attempt to force them to hire unionized workers.
The telephone at Ironworkers Local 401 wasn't being answered
Tuesday and a spokeswoman for the New York-based international union couldn't
immediately provide a comment.
Targeted properties allegedly included a Toys R Us store and
a Quaker meetinghouse.
Source: The
Intelligencer
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