assult

I am a management employee who works in a strong union enviroment.I was instructed to speak with an employee about problems, this employee was having with his assignments. I did this at the end of this employee's shift.He did not want to do and I had to give him a direct wark order. After which I told employee yo take five minutes to think about what he wanted to do and to get a union represnative. He did not take the time or get a represenstive, but took the papers I had in my hand that outlined his work assignment problems. He then glanced at the paper work and turned to me and whipped the papers across my arm and chest. Their was enough force that I had a stringing sensation across my chest for a few minutes. I then told this employee "he was done". I thourght I was assulted? My employer seems to think ortherwise and I did not contact police or file anything. Do I have any rights at all. As a foot note an hour before this incident thier was a fist fright between to bargining employees