A Robust Vision
Keynoter Highlights Rights Conference
Labor unions should confront political issues outside the workplace based on a robust vision of reciprocity and solidarity that addresses the concerns of all their members on a daily basis, keynote speaker Daniel HoSang said at SEIU Local 503’s first Civil and Human Rights Conference in Portland, October 24.
HoSang’s remarks were one highlight of the conference, "Common Threads: Working Toward a Sustainable and Diverse Future," an interactive daylong event that attracted 80 participants and included panel discussions about immigration, discrimination claims and sexual identity. It was sponsored by the local’s AFRAM, Lavender, and Latino caucuses.
Assistant Professor of Ethnic Studies and Political Science at the University of Oregon Dr. HoSang's talk was entitled “What is Labor's Vision for Justice?” He inspired the audience with stories of "linked fate," and encouraged participants to recognize that "strangers matter." His book on California racial politics, Racial Propositions: Genteel Apartheid in Postwar California, will be published next fall.
B.G. Gray, of the AFRAM Caucus, told attendees, “we are not the descendants of slaves; we are the descendants of proud people who were captives. We need to change how we think about ourselves.”
Immigration panelists detailed personal experiences with racism in seeking employment. One described how seemingly small insensitive comments about race could result in large negative effects. Another, a highly trained doctor in Ukraine, is now a homecare worker because policies in Oregon prevent her from practicing medicine. Still another discussed immigration issues specific to lesbian, gay, bisexual and transsexual individuals, adding that every wave of immigrants contains LGBT individuals, including some refugees fleeing violence and persecution in their native countries.
On discrimination claims, Portland attorney Cathy Highet stressed that public employees should file a Tort Claim Notice within six months of an incident. Lloyd Perez of the State Bureau of Labor & Industry emphasized that the employee bears the burden of proof in discrimination claims and the importance of getting a lawyer.
Members of Local 503’s Lavender Caucus recalled that in the beginning they faced resistance coming from many members who said it wasn’t the business of the union to take a position protecting the rights of LGBT members. Now, they said, most members realize the interconnection of issues affecting LGBT members and the general membership.
Aubrey Harrison from Basic Rights Oregon said that there have been 33 local and statewide ballot measures attacking laws protecting LGBT rights in Oregon.
A transsexual SEIU member said that many individuals face intolerable discrimination when they reveal their trans-sexuality to employers and co-workers during a time of physical transition, contributing to inordinately high unemployment, poverty and suicide rates among transsexuals.
Octaviano Merecias, and “Bajo Salario” (Low Wages), a progressive Latin American folklore group, read poetry and provided music during lunch, igniting some spontaneous dancing.
In wrap-up comments, attendees said that diversity training should be an integral part of staff and steward in-service training and that multigenerational workplace training should be a component of any diversity training. Conference organizers will meet in November to discuss future events and strategy.