Apr 26 2005
The United Steelworkers (USW) has filed a charge of race discrimination against Imerys Carbonates on behalf of employees working at the company's Sylacauga, Ala., facility. Imerys, a French company headquartered in Paris, operates in 38 countries worldwide.
The charge, filed with the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, alleges that white supervisors are enforcing company work rules and imposing discipline more harshly against African-American employees, and are retaliating against employees who have complained of the racism. The complaint also alleges that African-American employees have been subjected to a hostile work environment because of racial epithets and threats made by white supervisors.
According to the charge, one white supervisor responded to a complaint by an African-American employee by stating that if the employee was going to be hanged, "He would complain about the rope and the tree."
"We don't tolerate racial discrimination against anyone, including our own members, and we will vigorously pursue these charges," said Region Five Vice President Don Langham.
The USW was formed as a result of the April 14, 2005 merger between the Paper, Allied-Industrial, Chemical and Energy Workers Intl. Union and the United Steelworkers of America. It is the largest industrial union in North America with 850,000 members. The USW represents workers at four Imerys facilities in the U.S.
For background information on the escalating conflict between the USW and Imerys see www.imerys-solidarity.org.
http://www.paceunion.org/