Metis prez says ruling contains discriminatory language

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Metis Association President Larry Desmeules says a court ruling against the International Woodworkers of America, Local 1-207, contained discriminatory language.

Justice A.T. Cooke said in his ruling that the behaviour of the union picketers indicated they were "simply naive persons from a small northern Alberta community, many of part Native blood, who were without experience in matters of labor disputes."

Desmeules said the strikers were aware of what was going on at the often violent strike and that their Native ancestry had nothing to do with any actions taken.

A court ruling on the Zeidler Forest Industries Ltd. strike found two Alberta union leaders in criminal contempt for ignoring a court order limiting strike action.

Mike Pisak, president of the local and Robert DeLeeuw, the local's business manager, and the union itself, are in criminal contempt for ignoring and encouraging union members to violate a court injunction.