US anti-discrimination agency sues Tesla over ‘pervasive’ racism

Sep 29, 2023 | Uncategorized


A lawsuit filed by a US anti-discrimination commission contends that abusive graffiti aimed at Black workers was part of "pervasive" racism at the electric car maker's plant in Fremont, California
A lawsuit filed by a US anti-discrimination commission contends that abusive graffiti aimed at Black workers was part of “pervasive” racism at the electric car maker’s plant in Fremont, California.
Photo: JUSTIN SULLIVAN / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA/Getty Images via AFP/File
Source: AFP

A federal anti-discrimination agency filed a lawsuit Thursday accusing Elon Musk’s Tesla of allowing “pervasive” racism at its Silicon Valley car plant and retaliating against Black workers who opposed such abuse.

Black workers at Tesla’s factory in Fremont, California, have routinely endured stereotyping, racial insults and hostility since at least 2015, according to the suit filed in federal court by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.

Tesla “subjected Black employees at its manufacturing facilities in Fremont, California… to severe or pervasive racial harassment and created and maintained a hostile work environment because of their race,” the lawsuit said.

“The racial misconduct was frequent, ongoing, inappropriate, unwelcome and occurred across all shifts, departments and positions,” the commission said.

Tesla did not respond to a request for comment.

Read also

US government readies for imminent shutdown

Racist graffiti at the plant included swastikas, nooses and threats, according to the suit. Some of the graffiti was allegedly on vehicles rolling off the production line.

The commission said Black workers routinely endured racist slurs including variations of the “N-word,” along with “monkey” and “boy.”

“Slurs were used casually and openly in high-traffic areas and at worker hubs,” according to the EEOC.

Tesla supervisors and managers witnessed racial abuses but did not intervene, and Tesla failed to take steps to address the misconduct, according to the suit.

Black Tesla workers who complained of racist treatment found themselves switched to undesirable duties or shifts, written up unjustly or even discharged, the lawsuit maintained.

“After I voiced my unhappiness, I started getting written up for every little thing that was acceptable before — like listening to music while working,” court documents quoted a Black Tesla worker as saying.

Read also

JPMorgan Chase to pay $75 mn to settle Epstein-linked sex trafficking suit

The commission said it was unable to reach a settlement with Tesla.

The lawsuit seeks unspecified damages along with compensation for wronged Black workers and an order that Tesla curb racism at the factory.

The Fremont plant has been under scrutiny previously, with California suing Tesla last year alleging discrimination and harassment against Black workers at the facility, which the complaint called a “racially segregated workplace.”

The California Department of Fair Employment and Housing, which enforces the state’s civil rights laws, said it had received hundreds of complaints from workers.

Tesla at that time released a statement saying it “opposes all forms of discrimination and harassment” and that it is committed to providing “a workplace that is safe, respectful, fair and inclusive.”

Separately, a number of female Tesla workers filed lawsuits in 2021 alleging sexual harassment at the Fremont plant, and a Black worker was awarded millions of dollars in a separate racism case.

Source: AFP



Source link

Recent Post

After the party, Mexican agave farmers face tequila hangover

After the party, Mexican agave farmers face tequila hangover

An agave producer works at a plantation in Mexico's western state of Jalisco. Photo: ULISES RUIZ / AFPSource: AFPFrom George Clooney to LeBron James, American celebrities have cashed in on tequila's soaring popularity. But in Mexico, producers of the agave...

Recent Event Post

Lekki Saturdays with Sip and Paint . NG

Lekki Saturdays with Sip and Paint . NG

Every Saturday Unwind With Sip and Paint . NG in Lekki Location (The Corniche Hotel) We've created an avenue for you to chilax! It means Chill and relax all at the Same time Sip and Paint . NG with Bottomless Wine & A Full grown Meal About this Event A Great way...

Post you may also like

After the party, Mexican agave farmers face tequila hangover

After the party, Mexican agave farmers face tequila hangover

An agave producer works at a plantation in Mexico's western state of Jalisco. Photo: ULISES RUIZ / AFPSource: AFPFrom George Clooney to LeBron James, American celebrities have cashed in on tequila's soaring popularity. But in Mexico, producers of the agave...

Funke Akindele: Analysing phases in the career of a trailblazer

In the ever-evolving world of Nollywood, few names shine as brightly as Funke Akindele’s own. From dominating the television screen to breaking box office records with her films, Akindele has The post Funke Akindele: Analysing phases in the career of a...