MASS ARRESTS OF STRIKING YALE WORKERS

1) Yale Workers and their supporters in the community march in protest along York Street in New Haven, Conn., Saturday, Sept. 13, 2003. Union members from all over the country have been giving support to the striking Workers at Yale. AFL-CIO President John Sweeney was arrested with at least 151 demonstrators Saturday for blocking traffic as they marched through city streets in support of two striking Yale University unions.

2) Rev. Scott Marks, left, and AFL-CIO President John J. Sweeney, second from left, lock arms with striking Workers and their supporters on Elm Street in New Haven, Conn. Sweeney and hundreds of demonstrators had planned to be arrested in acts of civil disobedience in solidarity with the Workers of Yale. Police estimated that more than 10,000 strikers and their supporters had jammed downtown traffic for blocks and drew lengthy honks from those driving by.

3) New Haven Police prepare to arrest striking Workers and their supporters, including AFL-CIO President John Sweeney, center left, for blocking a street. The New Haven Police should arrest the fat cats at Yale for mistreating and exploiting the Workers!

4) AFL-CIO President John Sweeney is arrested and led to a Police bus. (All AP Photos/Douglas Healey)
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AFL-CIO Chief Arrested
Sun Sep 14, 2003
Associated Press

NEW HAVEN, Conn. - AFL-CIO President John Sweeney was arrested with 151 other demonstrators Saturday for blocking traffic as they marched through city streets in support of two striking Yale University unions. Sweeney and hundreds of demonstrators had planned to be arrested during the rally and march, which drew a crowd that police estimated at more than 10,000. The march jammed downtown traffic for blocks and drew lengthy honks from supporters and aggravated drivers alike.

Sweeney's hands were bound with plastic ties as he boarded a bus and yelled, "Anything for the workers!"

Meg Riccio, a Yale dining hall worker who was among those arrested, said she didn't mind being taken to a police station. "It's worth getting a criminal record because I'm working for a criminal," she said.

The protesters were charged with disorderly conduct and received misdemeanor summonses to appear in court, police said. All were released from jail. Thousands of members of Northeast unions converged on New Haven for the demonstration in support of two unions representing about 4,000 clerical, technical and maintenance workers at Yale. The unions went on strike three weeks ago.

"This is a fight against a very wealthy institution," Sweeney said. "Unions across the country are coming to lend their support. They are coming to bring their attention to the struggle." Leaders of Locals 34 and 35 have said some progress has been made since the strike began, but they and Yale remain far apart on pension and other issues.