Photo/Bonnie Adams
Westborough – Police Chief Alan Gordon released this statement this morning:
On May 12th, at approximately 8:20 AM, the Westborough Police Department was assisting with a labor dispute involving striking Verizon workers and replacement workers who were staying at the Extended Stay Hotel at 180 E. Main St. Four officers were assisting the replacement workers as they drove through a picket line consisting of approximately 80 picketers.
A pickup truck being operated by George A. Pulling, age 55 of 4595 32nd Ave. Naples Fl. was being escorted through the line. The picketers were yelling and screaming at the driver as he was moving along. Pulling accelerated while in the middle of the picketers and ended up with one of the picketers, Joseph Rooney, age 47 of 124 Colberg Ave. Roslindale on the hood of the truck. He continued onto the ramp leading onto Rte. 9 West where he finally stopped causing Rooney to be tossed onto the road. Rooney was treated at the scene by Paramedics from the Westborough Fire Department and was transported to U. Mass Medical for treatment of nonlife threatening injuries.
Pulling was arrested for assault and battery by means of a dangerous weapon (vehicle) 2 counts, one on Rooney and one on Officer LeeAnne Baker who was struck by the mirror on the vehicle, DUI alcohol 4th offense and operating a motor vehicle without a license. His license in Florida was suspended therefore his right to operate in Massachusetts is suspended.
He will be arraigned in WDC Thursday.
Nearly 39,000 union workers at Verizon, stretching from Massachusetts to Virginia went on strike April 13. The International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) and Communications Workers of America (CWA) maintain the landline phone and FIOS network.
