Wednesday, May 19, 1999
Striking worker hit by truck
BY PHILLIP PINA
The Cincinnati Enquirer
A striking worker outside the Paul Brown Stadium construction site was struck by a concrete truck Tuesday afternoon.
Bill Laney, 50, of California, Ky., a driver for Hilltop Basic Resources Inc., was picketing outside at its concrete plant, adjacent to the stadium site, about 3:45 p.m. when he was struck by the truck, according to union and company officials. His left ankle and foot were hit, but his injuries were not life-threatening.
The accident has been the first major problem caused by the 3-day-old strike by Teamsters Local 100 against Hilltop, said Brooke Hill, spokeswoman for the stadium's construction. Hilltop is a concrete supplier for the stadium and nearby Fort Washington Way projects.
Union officials say their strike is having an affect on company operations. But Hilltop spokeswoman Julie Harrison said the company made all its deliveries Tuesday using replacement drivers. Teamsters set up pickets Monday outside Hilltop's batch plant at 511 Water St., adjacent to the stadium site.
The company and the union have been negotiating a contract since December, said Jimmy Matheson, a Teamsters organizer.
According to the company, Mr. Laney jumped between a concrete truck and escort vehicle on Smith Street, and was struck by the truck. According to the company, the truck and escort vehicle drivers were operating within safety guidelines and were driving about 5 miles an hour.
“Our primary concern at this time is for the health and safety of our employee,” said Hilltop President John Steele Jr. The compa ny is investigating and hopes for Mr. Laney's fast recovery, he added.
Union members on the picket line say the truck was barreling down Smith Street when it struck Mr. Laney, Mr. Matheson said. “Have you seen the size of one of these trucks? Would you jump in front of one? That is ridiculous,” he said of the company's comments.
Mr. Laney was taken to Good Samaritan Hospital where he was treated and released. The driver of the truck, Paul Hunter, 46, of Texas, was cited by Cincinnati police, accused of failing to yield to a pedestrian at a crosswalk. The accident remains under investigation.
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