Sudbury's Leo Gerard Channels Joe Hill
"If it takes civil disobedience," so be it, said Gerard. "We're not going to walk away from our jobs or our fathers' and grandfathers' jobs just because Vale says so. We'll fill every goddamned jail if that's what it takes."
Sudbury's Leo Gerard, as reported in The Sudbury Star:
United Steelworkers International President Leo Gerard is refusing to apologize for two controversial statements he has made during the 9 1/2-month strike by more than 3,000 Steelworkers.And it is about time my brothers and sisters in Sudbury said no to scabs doing their jobs.
Gerard will not say he is sorry for telling Sudbury in September that if business owners were not for striking Steelworkers, then they were against them.
Nor should anyone expect Gerard to say he regrets telling The Sudbury Star two weeks ago that USW will not allow Vale Inco to return to full production without its unionized production and maintenance workers.
"If it takes civil disobedience," so be it, said Gerard. "We're not going to walk away from our jobs or our fathers' and grandfathers' jobs just because Vale says so. We'll fill every goddamned jail if that's what it takes."
Gerard and his union have taken a good deal of heat for both of his remarks.
But the Steelworker who began with Inco's transportation department 45 years ago before rising to the top job with the international union said he is not taking either comment back.
Joe Hill: last seen on a picket line in Sudbury
