From charlie.burr at state.or.us Wed Oct 1 09:18:14 2014 From: charlie.burr at state.or.us (Burr, Charlie) Date: Wed, 1 Oct 2014 16:18:14 +0000 Subject: =?Windows-1252?Q?NEWS_RELEASE:_Avakian_files_commissioner=92s_complaint_a?= =?Windows-1252?Q?gainst_Daimler_for_racial_discrimination, _hostile_work_e?= =?Windows-1252?Q?nvironment?= Message-ID: <6376A41CAD6C3E4F8A65385BDA4072612AEEB253@D5DAG1B.D5.USA.NET> [cid:image001.png at 01CFDD54.53425080] FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE October 1, 2014 CONTACT: Charlie Burr, BOLI, (971) 673-0788 Avakian files commissioner?s complaint against Daimler for racial discrimination, hostile work environment BOLI will investigate allegations of racial harassment and failure to take corrective action PORTLAND, OR?Labor Commissioner Brad Avakian has filed a commissioner?s complaint against Daimler Trucks North America alleging severe civil rights violations, the Bureau of Labor and Industries (BOLI) announced today. An agency investigation will determine whether the company subjected minority employees to a hostile work environment, discrimination based on national origin and threats of physical violence. The commissioner?s complaint comes as five Daimler employees have alleged unlawful discrimination at its North Portland facility this year. Alleged civil rights violations include Daimler employees using racial epithets to refer to African American colleagues, including ?nigger?, ?boy?, ?Toby? and ?buckwheat.? In addition, BOLI will investigate whether a Daimler employee threatened a black co-worker with a noose, saying that he?d drag the African American co-worker behind a car. The commissioner?s complaint includes charges that the company failed to take appropriate corrective action to address the racially-motivated behavior and treatment. ?No employee in Oregon should have to face racial discrimination and intimidation,? said Labor Commissioner Avakian. ?We are committed to a thorough investigation and aggressive prosecution if we find substantial evidence. Our agency has a duty to ensure fair workplaces and strong enforcement of civil rights protections.? Oregon law empowers the labor commissioner to file a complaint on behalf of the people of Oregon when the commissioner has reason to believe an unlawful practice, such as employment discrimination based on race or national origin, has occurred. The Daimler complaint is the sixth commissioner?s complaint filed by Avakian. Commissioner?s complaints can be a valuable enforcement tool when employees express fear of retaliation as they have during the current investigation. The complaint does not limit or preclude private legal action by current or former employees. Copies of the commissioner?s complaint are public documents available upon request. Visit www.oregon.gov/BOLI for more information about all of BOLI?s work to protect employment rights, advance employment opportunities, and protect access to housing and public accommodations free from discrimination. ### Charlie Burr Communications Director Oregon Bureau of Labor and Industries 800 NE Oregon Street, Suite 1045 Portland, Oregon 97232 Tel: 971-673-0788 -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: image001.png Type: image/png Size: 7699 bytes Desc: image001.png URL: From charlie.burr at state.or.us Wed Oct 8 10:31:58 2014 From: charlie.burr at state.or.us (Burr, Charlie) Date: Wed, 8 Oct 2014 17:31:58 +0000 Subject: =?Windows-1252?Q?NEWS_RELEASE:_BOLI_seminars_will_help_contractors_and_pu?= =?Windows-1252?Q?blic_agencies_navigate_Oregon=92s_prevailing_wage_laws?= Message-ID: <6376A41CAD6C3E4F8A65385BDA4072612AEED5C9@D5DAG1B.D5.USA.NET> [cid:image001.png at 01CFE2E3.15E20020] FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE October 8, 2014 CONTACT: Charlie Burr, BOLI, (971) 673-0788 BOLI seminars will help contractors and public agencies navigate Oregon?s prevailing wage laws Upcoming sessions in Pendleton, Albany and Klamath Falls offered free to the public PORTLAND, OR?Prevailing wage experts with the Bureau of Labor and Industries (BOLI) will offer free seminars that provide contractors and public agencies an overview of Oregon?s prevailing wage rate law and how to identify and avoid potential problems. The first seminars will be held in Pendleton on Wednesday, Oct. 15th. BOLI staffers have organized additional sessions for Klamath Falls on Nov. 5th and Albany on Dec. 9th. Each three hour session will provide time for questions. To register, please contact Rachelle Herbert at rachelle.herbert at state.or.us or 971-673-0838. Interested participants can also download a registration form from BOLI?s website here. ?Our prevailing wage seminars can help contractors and public agencies navigate Oregon?s prevailing wage laws,? said Labor Commissioner Brad Avakian. ?These seminars are free to interested members of the public and serve as a valuable resource for those trying to understand the rules for public projects.? Commissioner Avakian sets prevailing wage rates for the construction industry on taxpayer-funded projects. Pendleton: What: Pendleton Prevailing Wage Rate Seminar (Contractor Session) When: Wednesday, Oct. 15 (9 a.m. to noon) Where: InterMountain ESD, 2001 SW Nye Avenue, Pendleton Contact: Rachelle Herbert, 971-673-0838 or rachelle.herbert at state.or.us What: Pendleton Prevailing Wage Rate Seminar (Public Agency Session) When: Wednesday, Oct. 15 (1 p.m. to 4 p.m.) Where: InterMountain ESD, 2001 SW Nye Avenue, Pendleton Contact: Rachelle Herbert, 971-673-0838 or rachelle.herbert at state.or.us Klamath Falls: What: Klamath Falls Prevailing Wage Rate Seminar (Contractor Session) When: Wednesday, Nov. 5th (9 a.m. to noon) Where: Pacific Crest Federal Credit Union, 2972 Washburn Way (Please park in the lot on the corner of Hilyard Ave. and Maywood Dr.) Contact: Rachelle Herbert, 971-673-0838 or rachelle.herbert at state.or.us What: Klamath Falls Prevailing Wage Rate Seminar (Public Agency Session) When: Wednesday, Nov. 5th (1 p.m. to 4 p.m.) Where: Pacific Crest Federal Credit Union, 2972 Washburn Way. (Please park in the lot on the corner of Hilyard Ave. and Maywood Dr.) Contact: Rachelle Herbert, 971-673-0838 or rachelle.herbert at state.or.us Albany: What: Albany Prevailing Wage Rate Seminar (Contractor Session) When: Tuesday, Dec. 9th (9 a.m. to noon) Where: Albany City Hall (Council Chambers), 333 Broadalbin Street SE Contact: Rachelle Herbert, 971-673-0838 or rachelle.herbert at state.or.us What: Albany Prevailing Wage Rate Seminar (Public Agency Session) When: Tuesday, Dec. 9th (1 p.m. to 4 p.m.) Where: Albany City Hall (Council Chambers), 333 Broadalbin Street SE Contact: Rachelle Herbert, 971-673-0838 or rachelle.herbert at state.or.us Visit www.oregon.gov/BOLI for more information about all of BOLI?s work to protect employment rights, advance employment opportunities, and protect access to housing and public accommodations free from discrimination. ### Charlie Burr Communications Director Oregon Bureau of Labor and Industries 800 NE Oregon Street, Suite 1045 Portland, Oregon 97232 Tel: 971-673-0788 -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... 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Name: image001.png Type: image/png Size: 7699 bytes Desc: image001.png URL: From charlie.burr at state.or.us Wed Oct 8 11:54:39 2014 From: charlie.burr at state.or.us (Burr, Charlie) Date: Wed, 8 Oct 2014 18:54:39 +0000 Subject: NEWS RELEASE: BOLI will investigate additional allegations of racial discrimination and unfair treatment at Daimler Message-ID: <6376A41CAD6C3E4F8A65385BDA4072612AEED8B7@D5DAG1B.D5.USA.NET> [cid:image001.png at 01CFE2D5.6D092120] FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE October 8, 2014 CONTACT: Charlie Burr, BOLI, (971) 673-0788 BOLI will investigate additional allegations of racial discrimination and unfair treatment at Daimler New complaint alleges racial abuse, slurs, and failure of management to take corrective action PORTLAND, OR-Civil rights investigators are looking into new allegations of racial discrimination and bullying at Daimler Trucks North America, the Bureau of Labor and Industries announced today. A new employee complaint describes worker harassment and failure of management at Daimler's North Portland facility to take appropriate corrective action. In the civil rights complaint, a Daimler employee describes being insulted in German and having a sign left on her chair reading, "No place for niggers here." The civil rights discrimination charge describes other unlawful actions by co-workers and managers stemming from an alleged culture hostile to the advancement of racial and ethnic minorities. A copy of the complaint is available upon request. "Senior civil rights investigators will determine whether Daimler subjected employees to unfair treatment, bullying and racial harassment," said Labor Commissioner Brad Avakian. "We will also work to protect workers who step forward and aggressively prosecute any acts of unlawful retaliation. Our agency is committed to using its resources to ensure strong enforcement of Oregon civil rights law so that employees are treated fairly on the job." Last week, Labor Commissioner Avakian filed a commissioner's complaint against Daimler Trucks North America alleging unlawful discrimination based on race and national origin. The complaint included allegations of racial slurs, intimidation involving a noose, and threats of physical violence. Multiple employees involved in the complaint describe Daimler's failure to take appropriate action to address the racially-motivated behavior. Visit www.oregon.gov/BOLI for more information about all of BOLI's work to protect employment rights, advance employment opportunities, and protect access to housing and public accommodations free from discrimination. ### Charlie Burr Communications Director Oregon Bureau of Labor and Industries 800 NE Oregon Street, Suite 1045 Portland, Oregon 97232 Tel: 971-673-0788 -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: image001.png Type: image/png Size: 7699 bytes Desc: image001.png URL: From charlie.burr at state.or.us Wed Oct 22 11:02:10 2014 From: charlie.burr at state.or.us (Burr, Charlie) Date: Wed, 22 Oct 2014 18:02:10 +0000 Subject: NEWS RELEASE: BOLI expands Daimler civil rights investigation as more employees step forward Message-ID: <6376A41CAD6C3E4F8A65385BDA4072612E77A13B@D5DAG1B.D5.USA.NET> [cid:image001.png at 01CFEDE1.9B2E48C0] FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE October 22, 2014 CONTACT: Charlie Burr, BOLI, (971) 673-0788 BOLI expands Daimler civil rights investigation as four more employees step forward with allegations New complaints allege racial abuse, slurs, failure to take corrective action and retaliation PORTLAND, OR-The Bureau of Labor and Industries (BOLI) is expanding its civil rights investigation of Daimler Trucks North America as four more employees have stepped forward to allege unlawful discrimination at the north Portland facility, the agency announced today. The new civil rights complaints add to the agency's investigation of whether a pattern of racial discrimination and abuse exists at Daimler. In total, nine Daimler employees have open civil rights complaints, in addition to a commissioner's complaint filed by Brad Avakian on behalf of the people of Oregon. In addition to allegations of racial discrimination against African American employees, the complaints include charges that a Native American employee faced threats of physical violence and intimidation as another employee pushed him against a truck and challenged him to a fight. Other allegations in the complaints include unfair treatment, discrimination based on race, national origin and age, use of racial epithets, retaliation and failure of management to take appropriate action to improve Daimler's workplace. At least one complainant may have been forced to leave his position because of working conditions at the North Portland facility. "Our investigators are working hard to determine whether there's evidence of a pattern of severe racial discrimination and abuse," said Brad Avakian. "We have a duty to ensure that employees are treated fairly on the job. Our investigations will be thorough - and if we find substantial evidence, we will aggressively prosecute any unlawful discrimination uncovered." The complaints can be found on BOLI's website. Earlier employee discrimination complaints against Daimler have included descriptions of racial slurs and physical threats. BOLI investigators may take up to a year to determine whether there's substantial evidence of unlawful discrimination, although the investigation into Daimler's practices is likely to be concluded before the end of the year. Visit www.oregon.gov/BOLI for more information about all of BOLI's work to protect employment rights, advance employment opportunities, and protect access to housing and public accommodations free from discrimination. ### Charlie Burr Communications Director Oregon Bureau of Labor and Industries 800 NE Oregon Street, Suite 1045 Portland, Oregon 97232 Tel: 971-673-0788 Cell: 503-913-5407 -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: image001.png Type: image/png Size: 7699 bytes Desc: image001.png URL: