Civil Rights Investigation Expands at Daimler Trucks North America

Wednesday, October 22, 2014

David Cath, GoLocalPDX Contributor

A total of 9 Daimler employees have filed complaints. Photo Credit: ACE on Flickr

The Bureau of Labor and Industries (BOLI) is expanding its civil rights investigation of Daimler Trucks North America as four more employees have alleged severe civil rights violations at its North Portland facility, bringing the total number of complaints to nine, the agency announced today.

On Oct. 1, Labor Commissioner Brad Avakian filed a commissioner’s complaint against Daimler Trucks to determine whether the company subjected minority employees to a discriminatory and hostile work environment.

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.

Complaints include charges that Native American employee faced threats of physical violence and intimidation after another employee allegedly pushed him against a truck and challenged him to a fight.

At least one complaint may have been forced to leave his job because of the workplace environment at Daimler’s North Portland facility, according to the agency.

“Our investigators are working hard to determine whether there’s evidence of a pattern of severe racial discrimination and abuse,” said Avakian. “If we find substantial evidence, we will aggressively prosecute any unlawful discrimination uncovered.”

The commissioner said he expects the investigation to be completed by the end of the year.