Freeway Incidents Mar Strike by Tortilla Delivery Drivers

In the latest and most violent incidents in the 25-day Guerrero tortilla delivery drivers strike, both sides accused the other of forcing vehicles off two area freeways and assaulting each other with pepper spray.

As the two sides continued their finger pointing Wednesday afternoon, California Highway Patrol investigators were still uncertain who was at fault. All involved agree that something happened on the San Gabriel River (605) and San Bernardino (10) freeways, something that further complicates an already sordid labor dispute.

Six striking Guerrero truck drivers were initially arrested on charges of assault with a deadly weapon after CHP officers found the drivers and six California Security Co. guards arguing on the shoulder of the eastbound Pomona Freeway near the 605 interchange in the city of Industry. Security guards, hired by the Guerrero’s parent company, Gruma USA, told officers that the drivers forced them off the road and squirted them with pepper spray--a report that led CHP to make the arrests.

But a videotape of the incident brought a new twist to the accusations. In a statement issued late Wednesday night, the CHP said it got the wrong guys. The drivers were released.

“A videotape of the incident . . . clearly shows the security guards forcibly stopping the convoy on the freeway and discharging some type of liquid at the teamster member driving his vehicle,” Officer Louis Gutierrez said in a statement.

The CHP is investigating charges against the security guards, but as of Wednesday, no arrests had been made.

The drivers, who lease their trucks from the company and were not transporting Guerrero food products, were on their way to a protest outside a El Pollo Loco in Covina, officers said.

When their contracts expired Aug. 4, 160 unionized drivers went on strike, demanding better wages, health care provisions and a pension plan. The protest at El Pollo Loco was one of many held in the last few weeks.

California Security Co. chief Leo Gilbert said his guards were aware of the rally and planned to attend to keep an eye on the Guerrero trucks driven to the location by the strikers and to ensure that any scheduled deliveries arrived safely.

Gruma USA representatives said they did not know if a tortilla delivery was scheduled that day to the El Pollo Loco.

In a similar incident Wednesday, members of the Local 63 Teamsters Union said they had a second freeway altercation with security guards on the 10 Freeway.

According to the drivers, a cadre of guards in white unmarked cars and utility vehicles boxed in the caravan, slowing the procession to 5 mph, one victim said.

“I couldn’t believe it. It was like a movie,” said Hector Fernandez, a negotiator in the labor dispute for the Local 63 Teamsters Union.

Security company officials again gave a different account, accusing the strikers of stopping traffic on the freeway.