Union Calls for Charges in Confrontation

As Dist. Atty. Gil Garcetti met Friday with union representatives, striking tortilla delivery drivers rallied outside the downtown Los Angeles Criminal Courts Building, pleading that criminal charges be filed in a confusing freeway altercation between drivers and security guards hired by the Guerrero Mexican Food Co.

Garcetti was contacted by both sides of the dispute after California Highway Patrol officers in Baldwin Park intervened Wednesday to break up a freeway dispute between the striking drivers and California Security Co. guards.

CHP reports indicate that one party pepper-sprayed the other while both were driving on the Pomona and San Bernardino freeways. No criminal charges have been filed, and the CHP is still investigating, Sgt. Paul Mederios said.

Officers initially arrested several drivers, but after reviewing a videotape of the incident, they released the strikers and sought answers from the security guards.

A day before meeting Local 63 Teamsters Union representatives, Garcetti met with Guerrero officials to discuss alleged evidence against the drivers.

Garcetti had no comment on the results of the two meetings, said Elka Worner, a spokeswoman for the district attorney’s office.