Ottawa

5th man charged after cabbies stormed Coventry Connections in November

A fifth southern Ontario man has been charged in connection with the violent storming of the Coventry Connections dispatch centre in November during a protest organized by the union that represents airport taxi drivers in Ottawa.

4 men previously charged in the violent takeover of the taxi dispatcher

Protesters take over taxi dispatch centre

9 years ago
Duration 0:22
Protesting taxi drivers stormed the Coventry Connections dispatch centre s part of a "day of action" meant to draw attention to the three-month-old labour dispute.

A fifth southern Ontario man has been charged in connection with the violent storming of the Coventry Connections dispatch centre in November during a protest organized by the union that represents airport taxi drivers in Ottawa.

The 48-year-old man from Windsor, Ont., was charged with mischief.

In December, four men in their 50s from Woodstock, Meaford, Brantford and Whitby were charged with assault, mischief, and breaking and entering in connection with the takeover.

Unifor, the union that represents the airport taxi drivers, bused in cabbies from across Ontario and Quebec for the a so-called "day of action" to highlight the prolonged labour dispute between airport taxi drivers and their dispatcher.

The day of action escalated to violence as protesting cabbies charged into the building on the morning of Nov. 13. Three people working inside the call centre required medical attention.

More than 100 taxi drivers and their supporters gathered at Coventry Connections on Nov. 13 for a day of action in an ongoing labour dispute. Three people were treated by paramedics. (Ashley Burke/CBC)

Some of the takeover was captured by security cameras but Coventry Connections said protesters then covered the cameras with garbage bags and ripped-out computer cords.

Airport taxi drivers were locked out by Coventry Connections in August after refusing to accept an increase in fees for exclusive access to the airport's taxi stand. 

Drivers have held several protests in downtown Ottawa and on the Airport Parkway, which have at times turned violent.