Ironworkers Union Faces Discrimination Lawsuit in New Jersey

Union Allegedly Fostered Hostile Work Environment and Discriminated Against Black, Female, and LGBTQ+ Workers

Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin and the Division on Civil Rights (DCR) announced today that a complaint had been filed in Superior Court against Ironworkers Local 11, a New Jersey labor union, for allegedly violating the New Jersey Law Against Discrimination (LAD). The union is accused of creating a hostile work environment and systematically bypassing Black union members for jobs, while giving them less desirable assignments.

The complaint alleges that Local 11, a chapter of the International Association of Bridge, Structural, Ornamental, and Reinforcing Ironworkers Union, AFL-CIO, discriminated against members based on race, sexual orientation, and sex. Leadership and members, including former business manager Raymond Woodall, reportedly used racist, homophobic, and sexist slurs and failed to take action against such behavior.

“No one should be subjected to racism, discrimination, or harassment in the workplace, and we are committed to rooting out such despicable conduct,” said Attorney General Platkin. “If you violate our laws, we will hold you accountable. We do not tolerate discrimination in New Jersey.”

“Under our civil rights laws, union members in New Jersey have a right to work in an environment free from discrimination and harassment. Local 11’s reprehensible actions in this case strike at the very heart of that right,” said Sundeep Iyer, Director of the Division on Civil Rights. “The complaint filed today underscores our commitment to combating race discrimination and race-, sexual orientation-, or sex-based harassment wherever it rears its ugly head.”

Kesha Green, a Black woman and former ironworker, filed a verified complaint with DCR, which led to an investigation and a Finding of Probable Cause. DCR concluded that evidence supported allegations of differential treatment, a hostile work environment, and retaliation against Green for her complaints.

The complaint details instances of severe discrimination, including the use of racial slurs, locking a Black female member in a bathroom, distributing homophobic materials, and assigning inferior job roles to Black members. Despite awareness of these issues, Local 11 allegedly did not discipline those responsible or take measures to prevent future occurrences.

DCR has requested an injunction to prevent Local 11 from continuing discriminatory practices and to award damages to victims. The case is being handled by Assistant Section Chief Farng-Yi D. Foo and Deputy Attorneys General under the supervision of Civil Rights Section Chief Nancy Trasande.