DAY 48

The lawyer for the NMU filed for relief with the NLRB and at nine AM was prepared to present the usual tri-annual list of charges against Perkins.  The lawyer for Perkins was advised of the filing and was there too.  Judge Sorenson, who had presided over the litigation for five previous strikes looked at the list from NMU.   

“Attorney Bretz, this looks very familiar.  Isn’t this the list from three years ago?”

“No, your honor.”

“Is it just possible that you took the list from last time and changed the date?  I distinctly remember that you spelled the word “firing” wrong and it is wrong here.”

Attorney Bretz spluttered.  “Your honor, we did copy some of the charges.  Perkins uses the same tactics every time.  They have video cameras they focus on the picketers.  It is intimidation.  They are trying to trump up some charge against someone.”

The attorney for the company stood.  “Your honor, if I may.”

The judge sighed.  The sparring was starting again.  He tried to dump this case but couldn’t.  “And what brilliance do you have to offer Attorney Samuels?”

Samuels responded quietly.  “Your honor.  We are prepared to make an offer to refocus the cameras only on the strip of property that the strikers cannot cross rather than on them if the NMU gives us an assurance that they will direct the strikers to take no action to damage property, to not prevent free access to the plant, and to not harass workers in any way on or off plant property.”

“We can’t accept those restrictions.”

Attorney Samuels wanted to retort but held his comment.  He and his staff had studied the judge and the new law.  The judge would enforce it to the letter.  He was known for being well versed on new laws and probably had spent the night reading it.  Judge Sorenson glared at the attorney.

“Attorney Bretz.  Do you really know what you are saying?  You are opposing the cameras.  Admittedly I would not want a camera focused on me every day but if someone might try to blame me for something I didn’t do that camera would be my best friend if I were innocent and my worst enemy if I were guilty.  Do you agree with that?”