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About Just out. (Portland, OR) 1983-2013 | View Entire Issue (Jan. 1, 1985)
Women workers and unionists dem and job equality h if M ary A n n C urtis W inning justice for all workers through united labor defense of discrimination victims was the theme of a practical conference for union and working women held in November at the University of Washington in Seattle. The conference, entitled “ Breaking the Barriers of Job Discrimination," attracted more than 130 working women, unionists, and anti-discrimination activists representing over 25 unions. Participants came from as far away as Portland, San Francisco and Pitts burgh. PA to exchange information, share skills and experience, and discuss strategies to com bat job discrimination and advance workplace rights. In three general sessions, participants not only demonstrated their com m itm ent to rally the labor m ovement in defense of its most discriminated-against sectors — women, people of color, the disabled, and sexual m inorities — they learned how to build new alliances to make that possible. Fourteen workshops provided practical inform ation on organizing unions and em ployee groups, outlined strategies for c o m bating specific forms of job bias, inluding discrim ination based on race, disability, sex ual orientation, and political ideology, and provided updates on the setbacks and advances in equal em ploym ent law. Participants emerged from the conference invigorated with ideas for organizing against all form s of workplace bias. Many stated that they were doubly inspired by the real-life ex amples of women who are fighting and win ning discrim ination grievances and suits across the country. Crossroads for labor In her keynote speech on "Labor's Stake in C om bating Discrimination on the Job," Clara Fraser, a leading figure in the feminist and socialist movements and victor in a landmark free speech and discrimination suit against Seattle City Light, said. “ We are here to affirm that, despite the conservative climate and miserable machinations of the bosses, red necks. venal politicians, and some upwardly bound careerists of both sexes and all races, we can win! And we have won! Anybody who proclaim s their right to be themselves and still hold a job and be treated equally has a chance in this country — if you organize." Most discrim ination victims face the bosses alone, she added, abandoned by the bureaucratically-stifled and rightward-moving rights agencies, civil rights movements, and m any unions. Therefore, "we must prepare to turn unions into fierce advocates for and defenders of their most oppressed and har assed members, or unions will swiftly become incapable of representing anybody." “ Labor is at a crossroads," Fraser wound up. "It faces an historic choice between the dead hand of the past that stifles the living and the wave of the future, which, quiet as it's kept, is us.” Discrimination will cease “ if we all stand tough and together whenever any union activist or human rights advocate or political dissident or whistle-blower gets fired or dem oted or harassed for speaking out or dem anding their rights." m ust be governed by constitutional princi ples and that free speech and association for teachers, staff, and students does not stop at the schoolhouse gate." C om m unity activists have something to teach labor, she continued — that iv e have to organize in our own de fense around a ll the issues, with publicity and militance, to win. Where unions stand In a panel discussion entitled. "D iscrim ina tion is a Labor Issue," three union activists explained their unions' track records on countering discrimination and presented strategies for strengthening the anti-bias fight. Cheryl Peoples. Equity Committee Chair and Executive Board m em ber of the C om munication Workers of America (CWA). Local 9102, said that by setting up an equity c o m mittee to address discrim ination on the job and inside the union. Local 9102 has begun to demonstrate to its members that counter ing racism, sexism, and other form s of dis crim ination is the way to build solidarity within, and thus strengthen, the union. Nemesio Dom ingo, founding m em ber of the Alaska Cannery Workers Association and plaintiff in one of the Association’s race dis crim ination suits against the Alaska fish packing industry, described ILWU Local 37, Cannery Workers Union's battle to end ine quity between white, Filipino, and Alaskan Native workers in working and housing con ditions. He discussed how the suits against the industry have forced improvements in hiring practices and wage rates and also sparked a m ovement to rid the union of inter nal corruption. (continued on page 15) PHOENIX RISING presents Public organizing — the key to victory Merle Woo of San Francisco, a feminist writer and m em ber of the American Federa tion o f Teachers, spoke on “ Forging New Alliances in the Battle for Justice on the Job" in her keynote address. Woo won an unpre cedented sex, race, political ideology, and sexual orientation discrimination suit against the University of California at Berkeley earlier this year after being fired from her lecturer’s position in Asian American Studies in 1982. W oo explained that the key to her victory lay in organizing a diverse defense committee dedicated to the principle of free speech and to bringing all the issues surrounding her firing to as wide a public as possible. The defense com mittee. Woo said, used every available avenue — state and federal courts, the union grievance procedure, public events, and the press — to prove that UC had term inated her because she was an Asian Am erican feminist, lesbian, and radical who dared to openly criticize management. W oo said. "We showed that management M en s T h e ra p y G ro u p . Meeting every Thursday evening, this is an on-going therapy/support group for gay men Led by Bob Weinreich, PhD Sliding scale from S7.50 Women's T h e ra p y G ro u p . Meeting Thursday evenings from 8 30 to 10:00 p m for eight weeks, this group will be for working on goals for change Starting date March 7 Led by Liz Webb, PhD, and Barbara Isaacs, PhD Sliding scale from $7.50 Incest Survivors G ro u p . Meeting Monday evenings from 6 30 to 8 00 p m for ten weeks, this group will offer a safe place to explore unfinished issues from childhood sexual abuse Starting date March 5 Led by Kao Rhiannon, PHD, and Patt Chance, MSW Sliding scale from S7 50 S up p o rt G ro u p for Partners of Incest S urvivors. Meeting Tuesday evenings from 7 00 to 8 30 p m for eight weeks, this group will offer an opportunity to share common concerns and relationship issues Starting date March 6 Led by Kao Rhiannon, PhD Sliding scale from $7 50 Tuesday N ig h t P ro gra m . Beginning again January 22, our para-professional counselors lead you for eight weeks in personal growth activities to help you learn more about yourself For both men and women Sliding scale from S3 50 Safe-Sex Practices W orkshop. Saturday, January 26, from I 00 to 3 30 p m We will explore getting your sexual needs met in a safe yet satisfying way For men only Led by Bob Weinreich, PhD, and Bob DeWalt, MA No charge Lesbian Couples W orkshop: Enhancing Your Sexual R elationship. Saturday, February 9, from 9 a m to 4 00 p m , this workshop will focus on enhancing partnerships and keeping communication open with regard to issues of intimacy Confidentiality will be respected Led by Kao Rhiannon, PhD Sliding scale from $2500 P re-O rgasm lc G ro u p for W om en. This group will help you find solutions in a safe, supportive arena Led by Stevie Newcomber. MSW This group will begin when full Sliding scale from $7 50 To register, call 223-8299 S A N D R A K. PINCHES CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGIST Counseling and Psychotherapy Individuals, Couples, and Families Adolescents, Adults Gay, Lesbian and Couples Individuals Relationship Problems Depression Stress Partners of Alcoholics 1809 N.W. JOHNSON, SUITE 7 PORTLAND, OR 97209 (503) 227-7558 Just Out, January. 1985 7