"With the new court decision, we can have four pickets in front of the gate and others can stand by the roadside. And we are following the scab trucks again, and talking to workers at warehouses where they try to make deliveries," Huff said. Workers at a number of warehouses, both union and nonunion, have refused to unload Overnite trucks, the strikers said.
Damlo said the company had put up a banner outside their Blaine terminal that said they were open for business "today, tomorrow, and in the future." The banner had blown down, however, and it was clear to the strikers that Overnite is not doing much business. "When the trucks go out, we can hear by how the springs sound that they are light or empty," Damlo said. "The company is desperate to have the public see the trucks running on the road. And they have been sending out their salesmen to tell customers the strike is over. But we follow them and tell the customers the truth—that the strike is going strong and the trucks are running empty."
Maggie Trowe is a member of the United Food and Commercial Workers.
Most joining the line were from Teamster locals in the northern New Jersey including five workers from the Tosco refinery in Linden who told the Militant they are picketing three days a week at the Carteret, New Jersey, terminal. A picket line rally there November 18 drew 150 unionists. Many Teamster locals throughout the state are holding weekly collections for the strikers.
Many other unions were represented at the Moonachie rally, most notably 25 members of Union of Needletrades, Industrial and Textile Employees (UNITE) Local 99 from the nearby Liz Claiborne warehouse.
The mood was spirited as truck after truck drove past, pulling their horn cords in deafening support. Support also came from a sizable number of Overnite drivers who support the union organizing drive. As they pulled their rigs onto the highway, waves and greeting were exchanged between drivers and pickets.
Ned Measel is a member of UNITE Local 7587. Kathie Fitzgerald is a member of United Transportation Union Local 60. Jorge Ledesma contributed.
Midway through the rally a delegation of a dozen legislators and strike supporters presented company representatives with a letter to that effect. Platform speakers repeatedly emphasized the nonviolent and law-abiding character of the strike, in response to violence-baiting smears by the company and big-business press.
Among the supporters present were workers from the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, United Auto Workers, Steelworkers, UNITE, Communication Workers of America, Laborers International Union, Ironworkers and others. The largest numbers were striking Overnite workers and Teamsters from other unionized companies in the area, including USF Holland, CSF, and ABF. A USF Holland worker indicated that he walked the line regularly as well as helped the ambulatory picketing. Money contributed in a collection box by USF Holland workers is being donated weekly to the strike.
Eddie Dunn, a striker and 23-year veteran driver at Overnite, expressed well the sentiment of those present at the rally: "It's not just for us. It's for the whole labor force. What happens here will set a precedent for all workers. The companies will see whether they can get away with these types of conditions or not. That's why more workers should support this strike."
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