The Northwest Workers Justice Project is an invaluable force working for justice for workers and often going into areas and causes where unions don't have the necessary base or resources needed to win. If you can, please contribute to NWJP and support their good work. Here is a report from NWJP on a recent win here in Oregon that ought to help many other dispensary workers. Another interesting article on problems faced by dispensary workers can be found here.
NWJP staff attorney, Alex Boon, recently helped two cannabis dispensary workers who stood up for themselves after their supervisor used the N-word while at work.
Our clients, who both identify as Black, complained of racist jokes and casual use of the N-word in the workplace by their supervisor. Both workers made an effort to put a stop to their supervisor’s behavior, including by speaking with her directly, meeting with management, and writing to management about the issue.
However, the supervisor remained in her position, and both workers were fired not long after raising complaints with management. Also, during the civil rights investigation at the Bureau of Labor & Industries (BOLI) that took place after Alex helped the workers initiate legal action, the supervisor admitted that she used the full N-word in the workplace, and still felt that she had not done anything wrong by doing so. In other words, the problem had not been remedied.
BOLI found in our clients’ favor, and Alex filed the case in court to support these workers in their fight to work in a respectful environment. Our clients recently secured a settlement that served to hold the dispensary to account.
NWJP believes in the foundational right of workers to improve their working conditions and to address racial discrimination in the workplace. We were proud to back up these workers who made the effort to improve their racially hostile workplace by using the legal process available to them. |
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