Our country has taken a turn back in time to the civil
rights movement. Racism and discrimination are on the rise
within our own community. As leaders in the White House
continue to express displeasure with people of color and to
label us as being violent, murderers and rapists, our
society increasingly thinks it’s OK to display hatred.
Phone
calls into our NAACP office are increasing with reports of
racial tension and unsafe hostile work environments
throughout our city, within our schools, hospitals, plants
and other places of employment. It is time that people step
up to defend their jobs and their dignity. Understand your
rights and document your concerns. Companies cannot continue
to allow negative and non-productive behaviors. They must
provide employees with mandatory diversity training and help
them to understand how harassment and discrimination of any
kind impacts their company’s $$$$ bottom line.
The
Sojourner’s Truth article April 4, 2018 regarding
“discriminatory practices at GM Powertrain Plant” is another
example of management not taking immediate actions to a
hostile workplace. We thought we would ask Toledo NAACP
President Ray Wood a few questions about his recent filing
of a discrimination lawsuit against General Motors.
Betty
Valentine - The Ohio Civil Rights Commission has determined that General Motors is
guilty of maintaining a workplace that condones harassment.
What was the frequency of the workplace infractions that
were used to intimidate employees?
Ray Wood -
On March 22, 2017, May 2,
2017, and June 2, 2017 nooses were found in various areas of
the plant. In addition, swastikas, white power and white
only signs along with racial slurs were posted on the walls.
Betty -
To the best of your knowledge, were there postings and
guidelines for reporting harassment posted in areas of the
plant visible to everyone at General Motors?
Ray -
NO
Betty -
As the UAW Union President,
it was your responsibility to report the incidents of
harassment to management. Do you feel the company took your
reports seriously?
Ray -
It took three weeks for the
company to put out a letter to the membership about the
first noose. In a subsequent conversation with the Human
Resources Manager, he stated that he felt overwhelmed. He
did not get support from the Plant Manager or the Operations
Manager. As a result, it left people on the floor with no
means of communication.
Betty -
How many people were included
in the discussions between the union and management? And
how often did you meet?
Ray -
The meetings were held frequently and included a group
called The Key Four. It consisted of two union employees,
the president and the chairman, and two management
employees, the Plant Manager and the Human Resources
Manager.
Betty -
After repeated reports, did
management tell you what was being done to address the
incidents or give you a time frame for action?
Ray -
They didn't have a plan.
Betty -
What prompted your
action to go to the Ohio Civil Rights Commission with your
complaint?
Ray -
My intent was to expose the
behavior of General Motors and some UAW members.
Management has the obligation to secure a safe and
non-hostile work environment. The UAW members and General
Motors acted in collaboration by their delayed and lack of
response to the entire situation. Their failure to respond
quickly and decisively allowed the incidents to escalate and
the environment to become toxic.
If
you feel your civil rights have been violated. Know your
rights!!
Harassment
is a form of employment discrimination that violates Title
VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Age Discrimination
in Employment Act of 1967, and the Americans with
Disabilities Act of 1990.
The Equal Employment
Commission (EEOC) defines harassment as unwelcome conduct
that is based on race, color, religion, sex (including
pregnancy), national origin, age (40 or older), disability
or genetic information. Harassment becomes unlawful where 1)
enduring the offensive conduct becomes a condition of
continued employment, or 2) the conduct is severe or
pervasive enough to create a work environment that a
reasonable person would consider intimidating, hostile, or
abusive.
The Federal Government
requires that companies with more than 15 employees post
information about Title VII in areas visible to all
employees along with guidelines for reporting complaints.
Contact
information for questions:
Ohio Civil
Rights Commission - 419-245-2900
Toledo
Unit NAACP - 419-214-1551 - fill out a complaint form on our
website at
www.naacptoledo.org
Become a
NAACP member - $30/adult; $15/youth annually. Join our
meetings every 2nd Tuesday at 7:00 p.m. Our May meeting
location is the African American Legacy building at 1326
Collingwood. June through December meetings will be held at
Mott Branch Library at 1085 Dorr Street.
Don’t
forget to vote in the primary on Tuesday, May 8!
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