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Public Letter To SF Mayor Ed Lee, Sheriff Mirkarimi, and SF Sups On Hanging Nooses

Submitted by x344543 on Sun, 09/20/2015 - 16:39

By Darryl Washington - United Public Workers for Action, September 18, 2015

Disclaimer: The views expressed here are not the official position of the IWW (or even the IWW’s EUC) and do not necessarily represent the views of anyone but the author’s.

Greetings Mayor Ed Lee, Sheriff Mirkarimi, and San Francisco Supervisors. I pray this email finds you and your families in good health.

My name is Daryle Washington and I'm sending this email due to frustration at the lack of concern from City Government after I and other employees suffered a noose being placed on a Black workers belongings, and the events that followed from a corporation that San Francisco contracts to pick up garbage, compost, and recycling to name a few of the services offered by Recology.

I brought these issues to many in City Government through email over a year ago and only two supervisors responded. I am thankful that one responded and that was Malia Cohen. I find it troubling that an investigation into the allegations of a noose being placed at a business in San Francisco, which has a major contract with San Francisco didn't happen. I also find it troubling that as I have spoken to some that hold elected offices in San Francisco that they have heard about the incidents but have no full knowledge of what happened. I further find it troubling that I was not contacted or a reply sent based on my email over a year ago. 

What I am asking for is that San Francisco Government launch an investigation into racism, harassment, retaliation, terrorist threats, bullying, and corruption by Recology. Have them open up the books and let's see if they have been hiding mistreatment of Black workers. I'm am optimistic that Black Lives Matter enough to City Government to look into what I and other employees went through in 2013. Anything less than publicly condemning all noose incidents in this wonderful city is an injustice to all Black workers and residents of this great city. A zero tolerance policy of any and all companies and or corporations that are contracted or subcontracted by San Francisco.

There may be action taken in the near future at Recology after the scheduled September 21st rally at Recology, which may include a press conference on the steps of City Hall demanding justice from San Francisco City Government and officials for Black and Brown workers at Recology and all City businesses, especially the ones contracted and or subcontracted by the city of San Francisco, funded by tax payers.

Lastly let us never forget that "A injustice to one is an injustice to us all" and I would like to add that standing by doing nothing makes us all just as guilty as the person or persons acting unjust.

Below I have a few links that will help paint a clear picture of what I have been through, but I am not alone, I'm the one who decided to stand up and no longer take the injustices from Recology.

Thank you 
Daryle Washington

9/21 Stop Hanging Noose Incidents And Racist Incidents In The Workplace At Recology In SF

9/21 SF Rally To Stop “Hanging Noose” Incidents And Other Racist Attacks In The Workplace

Stop “Hanging Noose” Incidents And Other Racist Attacks In The Workplace

Recology Stop Retaliating Against IBT 350 Member Daryle Washington & Other Recology Workers

Rally:Press Conference 
Monday, September 21, 2015 12:00 Noon At: San Francisco Recology Company 
501 Tunnel Avenue, San Francisco

In 2013, a hanging noose was used to terrorize African American workers at the San Francisco Recology Company. This company has a major contract with the City and County of San Francisco to collect garbage.

When this incident took place, Daryle Washington a IBT 350 Recology worker made a complaint to management and they refused to take action. Another incident also took place where a worker threw a copy of Jet magazine at an African American worker.

There has been an epidemic of hanging noose inci- dents throughout the country and also in San Francisco from SFO and the South East Sewage Plant to UCSF. These terrorist acts must be stopped.

Daryle went to his union and asked that they take action to stop these incidents yet his local union leadership not only have taken no action but have refused to publicize that these actions are unacceptable.

All working people need to stand up to stop these racist incidents and our unions must take the lead to make it clear that racism terrorist incidents will not be tolerated in the workplace. This is combined with the workplace bullying against workers on the job forcing many workers onto workers comp and disability.

Daryle Washington has also informed the City officials of San Francisco about this incident and yet they are completely silent despite Recology being a major contractor with the city.

It is time to make it clear that these acts must stop. On Monday September 21, 2015, there will be a press conference and rally in front of the Recology facility for justice and human rights. You are invited to support this rally and speak out not only about this incident but others that are happening every day. Also get your union and organization to support this action. An Injury To One Is An Injury To All!

Sponsored by 

Endorsed by Michelle Smith, Bully Free Workplace, Derrick Boutte SEIU 1021 Executive Board SEJ Chair, James Charas Smart-UTU 1741, Harold Fong SEIU 1000, Brenda Barros SEIU 1021 SF General Chapter Chair, Daz Lamparas, Carrie Clark, CHWP, Roger Scott AFT 2121 Executive Board, Lola Reca SEIU 1000, Kim Tavaghone NUHW, Lois Scott IFPTE Local 21 
Unions and Organizations for identification only

Daryle Washington is a member of Teamsters Local 350 and material handler at San Francisco Recology Company. He was faced with racist incidents at his job including a hanging noose that was being used to terrorize workers. He spoke out and was retaliated against by the management. He also discusses other epidemic of hanging noose incidents around the country and the connection to the growing racist attacks. He spoke out about this in an interview on 6/30/15 in Berkeley.

For more information:

Tags: 
Recology
recycling
Darryl Washington
combating racism
green unionism
SEIU Local 1021
SEIU Local 1000
UTU Local 1741
AFT Local 2121
IFPTE Local 21
recycling workers
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