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For example, a researcher could search the data file for

all incidents involving the Teamsters union in Arizona.

Each record in the file is cross-referenced to the origi-

nal source material from which information on the incident

was extracted.  All source material is retained for con-

firmation purposes and to facilitate more detailed analy-

sis.

The Institute has recorded 8,799 incidents of union-

related violence since 1975, but only 1,963 arrests and

258 convictions have been reported.  The local news media

that covered the original violence could be expected to

follow up on subsequent legal action.  But the relatively

few follow-up reports suggest that barely 3 percent of the

violent incidents recorded in the Institute's data file

have led to convictions.

On the basis of the following reports cited in this

paper, it is not hard to understand the discrepancy.

· In 1984, union miners pulled drivers from coal

transports and beat them, then turned over cars still

occupied by nonstriking employees--all under the watch

of West Virginia state troopers.

· In 1985, militant cement workers used violence

while trying to shut down the Missouri Portland

Cement company, as Illinois state policemen watched.

· In 1989, construction unionists staged a full-scale

riot, destroying a camp for nonunion workers and

taunting police in International Falls, Minnesota.

The governor responded by ordering increased govern-

ment monitoring of the contractor.

· In 1992, drywallers stormed a construction site and

kidnapped nonstriking workers.  Despite apprehending

the drywallers with the workers, Los Angeles prosecu-

tors refused to prosecute anyone for kidnapping.

· In 1992, the police chief of Warren, Ohio, all but

blamed WCI Steel's use of salaried employees and

replacement workers for the rock throwing and tele-

phone threats they suffered.

Often overwhelmed by a level of violence

never before

experienced in their small communities, local

authorities

may share the sentiments of the International

Falls police

chief:  "For the first time in my 34 years as

a cop, I'm

not sure I can protect them."