One Happy Island between Union and Valero in Aruba

The strike by union members at Valero in Aruba has become contentious to say the least. Valero has begun legal proceedings against strikers that are “misbehaving” at the main entrance. One Happy Island indeed. Now with some of the union workers crossing the picket line, this should get really interesting.

There was intimidation and the strikers damaged cars that wanted to enter the premises of Valero.  A union-member that wanted to go back to work was threatened and almost pulled out of his car.

Amigoe; December 1, 2006: Lawsuit against strikers Valero 

The strikers were nice at the beginning of the strike, but the atmosphere harshened later.

ORANJESTAD – Valero has instituted legal proceedings against the strikers that are misbehaving at the main entrance.  The lawsuit served this morning at 10:00. 

There was intimidation and the strikers damaged cars that wanted to enter the premises of Valero.  A union-member that wanted to go back to work was threatened and almost pulled out of his car.  Spokesman Davis Smith called this unacceptable behaviour and wants to stop this via court.  Boy Anthony, union leader of Iowua says that the incident with the driver was a reaction on an almost-collision with one of the strikers at the gate.  “The car almost ran into us and the driver wanted to keep on driving.  To me that is offensive.  He was therefore stopped”, said Anthony. 

Valero’s action to approach the union-members directly with a summary of the CAO-proposal as it is now seems to work.   About 15 percent of the union-members went back to work today.  Another 10 percent called Valero on the phone with questions about what would happen if they want to go back to work.  Smith mentioned that Valero has put in a taxi-service that would take the non-strikers to work.  The union was not aware yet this morning of the number of non-strikers, but expects a large turnout at the lawsuit.