Food inspectors cross picket line to enter Alberta's Lakeside packing plant
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BROOKS, Alta. (CP) - Federal food inspectors crossed the picket line outside the Lakeside Packers slaughterhouse on Thursday after a judge ordered striking workers not to bar their access.
"As of 10:30 this morning, our staff successfully crossed the picket line without any incident," Philip Amundson of the Canadian Food Inspection Agency said from Ottawa.
The presence of between 20 and 25 inspectors and veterinarians meant work at the meat-packer in southeastern Alberta was able to resume. Carcasses from previous days as well as Thursday's load were being examined, Amundson said.
Members of the United Food and Commercial Workers are trying to get a first contract at Lakeside. But hundreds of workers who don't support the strike have shown up for work daily and found themselves pitted against their colleagues as they cross the line.
However, the refusal of the inspectors to cross out of fears for their safety had suspended production for at least two days.
There was no danger on Thursday, said Amundson.
"Our staff worked with the RCMP and the UFCW representative and the crossing went without any incident."
Tyson Foods spokesman Gary Mickelson in a news release the company was pleased the inspectors crossed the picket line. He said 1,100 people worked slaughtering and processing meet Wednesday.
Mickelson said the court order means once the inspectors arrive, "the picketers are to clear the road and allow them to enter or exit without delay.
"We're hopeful this order gives the inspectors the additional assurances they say they need in order to remain on the job," the release said.
In other developments, police were investigating after a rock was thrown through a window at the food inspection agency's Brooks office earlier in the week. The office was unoccupied at the time and it wasn't known if the vandalism was related to the strike, police said.
As well, Lakeside lawyers headed to a Calgary courtroom yet again to argue that the union should be held in contempt and fined for breaching an Alberta Labour Relations Board directive and court order aimed at restricting pickets.
Affidavits filed in support of the motion in Court of Queen's Bench allege union members have used a variety of tactics to hamper plant operations, including placing nails on access roads and using vehicles to block entrances.
"There's certainly some increased tensions," said union spokesman Tom Hesse.
Hesse said RCMP officers have been telling pickets to watch their language.
"I think the RCMP is walking out onto thin ice in telling people to not express themselves openly."
There have been several arrests linked to the strike since it began Oct. 12.
The latest involve two men charged Wednesday evening for assault and breach of recognizance. Police said the alleged crimes were related to the strike, but did not occur on or near company property.
Kames Alue, 30, and Abraham Monyabue, 30, both of Brooks, were to appear for a bail hearing Thursday.
©The Canadian Press, 2005
