The Northwest Workers Justice Project Gets Some Justice For Dispensary Workers Victimized By Racism

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.

Two Inspiring Union Videos From MLK Day

 

On this day and every day carry the message on!

 

A Union's Commitment to Address Racism in our Union and in America

December 05, 2023

  AN ANNOUNCEMENT FROM THE DESKS OF PARIS JONES AND WALTER BLAIR:

“The past several years have sparked national mobilization and reckoning on racial equity. To that end, AFSCME adopted Resolutions recommitting itself to “confronting and taking active measures to “address racism in our union and in America” and resolving to “examine our own institutions, procedures, and cultures to identify and address bias.” COURAGE to be Stronger is our union’s program to carry out this commitment.”

From AFSCME’s Resolution #33, “A commitment to standing strong for racial and economic justice, solidarity and equality. At AFSCME’s 44th International Convention in 2020, delegates adopted Resolution 3 entitled ‘Confronting Racism’ in which we committed ourselves to examine our own institutions, procedures, and cultures to identify and address bias to become a more perfect union.”

As stated in Resolution 3:

“AFSCME’s past, present, and future are deeply rooted in the fight against racism and the struggle to build the bridge connecting labor rights, economic rights, human rights, and civil rights for all.  These fights are our fights, as exemplified by the historic 1968 Memphis Sanitation Worker Strike and the sacrifice of 1,300 men and their families who stood in the face of oppression, bigotry, and brutality to demand change and change3 that ultimately cost Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., his life.”

As a result of AFSCME’s commitment to our union families, the Beyond Bias Training Workshop was developed and introduced trainers to “An Introduction to Implicit Bias.” The workshop is geared towards training trainers to offer this “Implicit Bias” training to AFSCME locals.

This training offers materials that cover a Beyond Bias curriculum that is complete with handouts that share the eight strategies to reduce and interrupt implicit bias. Trainers and trainees worked together in practice and role-playing. Participants also experienced exploring their own implicit bias for a better understanding of how to interrupt these biases that are automatic from our own individual upbringings and environment.

After I completed this 4-day in-depth training on 12/01/2023, I have a set of new vocabulary in my toolbox to help me understand and interrupt implicit bias. One of my many takeaways is, “The absence of taking risks means no progress.”  We are in a human-invented classification system created by humans who are not like me and are not inclusive to all humans. Physical differences between people are used as a tool for oppression and violence.

I look forward to interrupting the status quo and knowing that as an AFSCME leader, training more leaders on implicit bias means we have power in numbers as we stand stronger together in solidarity!