Ten members of the Teamsters Local 25, who are trying to unionize the FW Russell Disposal Company, were arrested yesterday after a clash with police in Somerville. The Teamsters were picketing the company and had padlocked the gate.

Police were summoned, but what is striking is how many police were summoned. The Somerville Journal notes: "Somerville Police were backed up by Northeastern Massachusetts Law Enforcement Council (a regional force from other cities) which includes a SWAT Team. Officials from Concord, North Andover, Watertown, Lexington and Woburn staged in the Target parking lot and marched to the site in full riot gear."

Despite the riot gear, Somerville's police captain told the Somerville Journal that "There is no riot. There was no riot. We do not have a riot. We have a labor dispute."

Look at the picture on the Journal's webpage and decide for yourself. Whatever you want to call it, the incident looks like something more than a "dispute." The Somerville News has more pictures, including one of a riot crew heading to the scene and bearing sticks, not to mention on-scene video.

The Somerville News report indicates that both sides of the dispute/riot/whatever escalated the situation: "Witnesses on scene said the union attempted to intimidate everyone in sight, including police and media, with curse-laden threats. A fracas erupted between Teamsters, police and Russell employees. At one point during the confrontation Russell owner Chuck Russell stood in McGrath Highway with a sombrero on and stomped on discarded picket signs." Note to Mr. Russell: If he wanted to fight, he could have done a better job without the accessories.

Teamsters, comin' at ya. Teamster truck from the Teamsters Local 25 website. All charges of riots, non-riots, taunting, and sombrero-wearing alleged until proven under law.