Posted on 03/28/2007 by unemployed trucker
Viewed: 300 times
I was recently laid off and then terminated from my truck driving job because of racist employees of the Federal Marine Terminals (FMT) in Richmond, Virginia. I attemped to resolve the situation through my employer who did nothing about it. FMT and the shipping line Independent Container Lines (ICL) both promote and condone racism and a hostile work environment by not supervising the employees and by not addressing concerns brought to their attention. This action has cost myself and my family much stress and anxiety as well as the loss of income. Also to blame is Hogan Transports, Hogan Dedicated Services and my manager, Charlie Rife, who did nothing to attempt to find another position after these unfortunate events took place. The operations manager for FMT and Mark at ICL are also to blame for their careless handling of the situation.
POST A COMMENTRedVelvetFlames(03/29/2007)
Why haven't you filed a formal complaint with the EEOC (Equal Employment Opportunity Commission)? If the racism is that openly prevelant and hostile it would have been the first thing I would do.
SouthernProgrammer(03/29/2007)
Just curious, how did racist employees get you terminated? Could you elaborate a little more please?
unemployed trucker(03/31/2007)
I would have filed a complaint, but black against white racism isn't p/c much less taken seriously. I believe that is the reason I ended up losing my job.
RedVelvetFlames(03/31/2007)
I am a bit lost with your response. If you are saying you are white there is such a thing as "reverse discrimination." Being PC does not play a role in illegal discriminatory practices.
unemployed trucker(03/31/2007)
Discrimination is just that, the whole revers thing is bs. As if blacks are the only ones who can be discriminated against. In the south today they have turned life into the 60's almost. It happens in almost every day somebody says something or does something hateful. It is getting old. If I try to stand up for myself, or whatever, I'm called racist or somehow I've done something wrong. This is how I was made to feel at work. I put this info on here just to get it out, to vent really. I know people know this is going on. If they don't it's because they choose to ignore it for whatever reason. I'm not the only person this has happened to. At this point the whole this is here for the world to see, with names and companies and all. Maybe someone will wake up someday, but we will never live in a fair world. I don't believe I stand a chance with the EEOC, If I did I would have gone that route over a month ago. The harassment was very subtle to start with. I thought is was just their form of "hazing" that all the newbies went through, but found out that I was wrong when I witnessed the old timers going through it as well. When I tried to "rock the boat", they basically pulled out all the stops. Other employees at this company told me they knew what was going on and that it was wrong, but I was told by others including my boss that because these people were union they could basically do as they pleased and get away with it.
SouthernProgrammer(03/31/2007)
You are correct, there is such a thing as reverse racism. Since this is a unionized company I would agree not much can be done. Oh you can fight it all right, but it would be a tough ugly battle. Vent all you want, get it out of your system and pick yourself up the best you can and move on.
don't judge(04/01/2007)
You are not alone.
I've been in this situation several times. On my first job, a job at a law office and another. Different minorities, same prejudicial attitude. I did try to comment and vent about it on this website. The tale as well as my comments where deemed "racist" by other bloggers and have since disappeared.
This particular subject is just too explosive for some. Neither Union nor EEOC would help. They ran for the hills and so will this entry in time, though I won't detail my experiences.
Time is overdue to bring this subject out it the open.
On another bittersweet note. A lot of truckers are going to lose their jobs because of truckers from across the southern border who will be licensed to drive here soon. At one future point it will occur to all unemployed workers that hanging together would have been better than being hung out to dry separately.
RedVelvetFlames(04/01/2007)
Oh yeah -- reverse discrimination is rampant and very much kept in the closet. Your situation as others posted even worse since it is unionized. EEOC also very tricky. Vent, vent, vent as posted by a schmobber ooorrr try to get at least 2 employees to file a class action. Be one of the few groups to make case law history :-)
unemployed trucker(04/01/2007)
Thanks, This won't disappear, I've saved on my pc. I hope those who would censor it, would put themselves in my position, and then answer if they would want their voice silenced. It's one thing to do to others, but to have done to you is something else entirely.
RedVelvetFlames(04/02/2007)
Trucker if you are referring to the blogger who wrote about being censored I think that case is different. They wrote other schmobbers found some of his writings to be rascist. You did nothing of the sort (in my opinion.) On another note, it is such a huge misconception because someone is in a union it is not possible to fire them. It is. More difficult--yes. But not impossible. The problem is management never wants to go head to head with them. Even if you have to go at it alone and can't get anyone to support you speak to a labor attorney. Consultations are normally free. Gosh, I can't wait till I graduate. I know I would certainly have jumped all over your case like white on rice in china! :-)))
bigblue(04/02/2007)
Work in an environment of 2400 people where there should be 1246 (yes, I checked--so therein comes the detail). No one has my background:
white and protestant. And I work in one of the three largest cities in the U.S. So my point is--everyone is always playing the race card--but everyone is always playing the religious card! I can maybe deal with the race card but they play the religious card or both! So I know, Poster--why I am leaving. Most people seem to want to live in a more"multi-cultural" environment--I've been doing it for over 17 years--the most multi-cultural school in America--long before all this became such an issue. And long before it was in vogue for people to want to live in a more "multi-cultural, diversified environment". Now I think I want to live where I have something in common with people who are like me.
but I've always done things backwards or differently.
but I do know, Poster about people playing their cards. And people think if you are white you are never a victim of racism. I waited a year to be "assigned" to my position because I am white. My friend got my job because she was from the Phillipines.
SouthernProgrammer(04/02/2007)
Speaking of reverse discrimination, MANY years ago I asked to hire someone to take over a factory control system I had programmed to leave me free to do other tasks. The system had grown out of control and I needed help! After many weeks, the LAZY HR rep sent two measly candidates. One was a young man straight out of the military who had been trained by the military as a programmer and knew his stuff backwards and forwards! I wanted to hire him on the spot! The other candidate was an older woman who seemed disinterested and smacked her gum. When I showed her the system she said "It that anything like Windows? Lord my grandkids have a computer I guess I could learn it!" Oh yeah, I wanted to turn her loose on a major system! So, I told my boss I wanted to hire Mr. Ex-Military but was later invited to a meeting with him and HR. I was informed they wanted to hire the woman because she was a minority and they needed to "balance the work force". I had never heard of this policy and suspected it came from the HR managers own sense of fairness. I replied that if that were the case, we should advertise for a gay female minority who was also in a wheelchair and then we could meet several quota's in one shot and save money. Needless to say my suggestion was not well received and I said there was no way I was going to accept hiring that person simply because she was NOT qualified, I also suggest HR hire her as a HR rep since they obviously needed help as I had only had two candidates apply. Somehow, my funding for my position was withdrawn...
WalkingInMyOwnShoes(04/02/2007)
SOPRO;
Your story is somewhat unusual since employers are trying to rid outfits of middle aged women anyway they can. One of my previous employers even bragged about this in a leaflet, the meaning is between the lines: "The number of total female employees dropped slightly....."
All in the name of: "diversity continues to figure prominently in the ....workforce....."and"...effort to maintain a work force that reflects the available labor pool in......".
Me thinks, your middle aged lady had extra pull that was exercised by a relative. I did see a similar situation with a higher ups mother. She wanted to talk all day, skirt real work, earn some money and complain about coworkers. We did not have time for her because we had to pick up most of her work too.
>>
Your story is somewhat unusual since employers are trying to rid outfits of middle aged women anyway they can
>>
Actually, on the non-automated lines at most mfg plants I visit...they prefer middle-aged women because they tend to work harder and are more conscientious. The only people mfg plants value above middle-aged women are ex-military who really work!
WalkingInMyOwnShoes(04/02/2007)
What a coincident! The aforementioned advanced middle aged lady had been laid off by a manufacturing plant.
don't judge(04/27/2007)
Imus=Sue me; this is uncalled for, hard to resist if an expression is ..in the moment.. I don't care about shades, hairdo, extra curricular activities or other income. But I do care when a 300 pounder tries to topple a 350 pounder on top of my 165 pound self.
old Nurse(04/30/2007)
trucker, I've seen this happen to others. Not right but thats the way it is. You shouldn't have any trouble finding another position. Go to www.OOIDA.com and check it out, they may be able to help you. When ( and if) the 100 Mexican trucking firms that Pres. Bush is allowing to run the entire USA takes effect, there may be even more job openings. Good luck.
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