Mercer Times

Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin and the Division on Civil Rights (DCR) announced today that DCR has filed a complaint in Superior Court against Ironworkers Local 11, a New Jersey labor union, for allegedly violating the New Jersey Law Against Discrimination (LAD). The complaint accuses the union of creating and maintaining a hostile work environment and systematically bypassing Black union members for jobs, 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, fostered an environment of discrimination based on race, sexual orientation, and sex. It cites repeated use of racist slurs by leadership and members—including Raymond Woodall, who served as business manager from 2008 to 2022—as well as homophobic and sexist language. Despite this conduct, the union's leadership reportedly took no effective action to address or prevent such behavior.

The complaint further alleges that Local 11 discriminated against Black members seeking ironwork assignments through its hiring hall. According to the allegations, qualified Black union members were repeatedly bypassed for jobs in favor of similarly situated non-Black members.

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

Sundeep Iyer, Director of the Division on Civil Rights stated: “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.”

The case originated after Kesha Green, a former ironworker and member of Local 11 who is Black, filed a verified complaint with DCR alleging violations of LAD. Following an investigation that found sufficient evidence to support her claims of differential treatment based on race and retaliation for raising complaints about it.

The complaint outlines various instances of alleged misconduct within Local 11's work environment. One Black female former member was reportedly called racial slurs, locked in a bathroom for hours at a time, and subjected to physical harassment. Employees also received pornographic images with homophobic messages while Woodall allegedly used derogatory terms towards women.

Despite awareness of these discriminatory actions within the workplace, Local 11 purportedly made no meaningful effort to discipline those responsible or prevent future occurrences.

In addition to requesting an injunction barring discriminatory practices by Local 11 related to job assignments and workplace conduct based on race or other protected characteristics under LAD; DCR seeks damages for economic loss suffered by victims along with civil penalties against defendants' violations.

The investigation was led by Justin Hoffer alongside Legal Specialist Carlos Bellido under Deputy Director Rosemary DiSavino’s supervision; while Division Of Law Civil Rights Assistant Section Chief Farng-Yi D Foo along with Deputy Attorneys General Douglas Praschak Mia Dohrmann Jillian Ollwerther handled filing procedures supervised by Nancy Trasande Mayur Saxena Sara Gregory from Affirmative Civil Enforcement Practice Group

DCR remains committed towards eliminating bias-based harassment across employment housing public accommodations sectors enforcing New Jersey's anti-discrimination laws including LAD FCHA NJFLA among others.