A former Teamsters Union dissident who accused union officials of violating his rights for years has been awarded $522,000 in damages by a federal court jury.
Arthur Doty, of Newburyport, contended in his lawsuit that he was harassed, assaulted and threatened because of his work with a group called Teamsters for a Democratic Union. He said he was denied his constitutional and union rights by officials who "engaged in a purposeful and deliberate attempt to discourage dissent within their unions.""I hope this makes Teamster officials all over the country think twice before they start pushing around people who are fighting for their rights," said Doty, 42, a Teamsters member for nearly two decades who is no longer a member of the union.
Friday's jury verdict included damages from Teamsters Local 42 in Lynn and several past and present officers.