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About 100 people gather in support of six former workers of United Electrical Contractors who have filed a lawsuit alleging racist treatment on job sites, Tuesday, Feb. 1, 2022 outside of the Associated Builders and Contractors Greater Michigan Chapter in Midland.
Richard Mack, an attorney hired to represent six former workers of United Electrical Contractors who have filed a lawsuit alleging racist treatment on job sites, speaks during a rally Tuesday, Feb. 1, 2022 outside of the Associated Builders and Contractors Greater Michigan Chapter in Midland.
About 100 people gather in support of six former workers of United Electrical Contractors who have filed a lawsuit alleging racist treatment on job sites, Tuesday, Feb. 1, 2022 outside of the Associated Builders and Contractors Greater Michigan Chapter in Midland.
Ryan Charney of IBEW Local 629 speaks as about 100 people gather in support of six former workers of United Electrical Contractors who have filed a lawsuit alleging racist treatment on job sites, Tuesday, Feb. 1, 2022 outside of the Associated Builders and Contractors Greater Michigan Chapter in Midland.
Lamarr Jones of Detroit joins about 100 people as they gather in support of six former workers of United Electrical Contractors who have filed a lawsuit alleging racist treatment on job sites, Tuesday, Feb. 1, 2022 outside of the Associated Builders and Contractors Greater Michigan Chapter in Midland.
About 100 people gather in support of six former workers of United Electrical Contractors who have filed a lawsuit alleging racist treatment on job sites, Tuesday, Feb. 1, 2022 outside of the Associated Builders and Contractors Greater Michigan Chapter in Midland.
Tyler Richardson, one of six former workers of United Electrical Contractors who have filed a lawsuit alleging racist treatment on job sites, speaks during a rally Tuesday, Feb. 1, 2022 outside of the Associated Builders and Contractors Greater Michigan Chapter in Midland.
About 100 people gather in support of six former workers of United Electrical Contractors who have filed a lawsuit alleging racist treatment on job sites, Tuesday, Feb. 1, 2022 outside of the Associated Builders and Contractors Greater Michigan Chapter in Midland.
Jordan Shank, one of six former workers of United Electrical Contractors who have filed a lawsuit alleging racist treatment on job sites, speaks during a rally Tuesday, Feb. 1, 2022 outside of the Associated Builders and Contractors Greater Michigan Chapter in Midland.
About 100 people gather in support of six former workers of United Electrical Contractors who have filed a lawsuit alleging racist treatment on job sites, Tuesday, Feb. 1, 2022 outside of the Associated Builders and Contractors Greater Michigan Chapter in Midland.
Laurie Thybault, left, joins about 100 people as they gather in support of six former workers of United Electrical Contractors who have filed a lawsuit alleging racist treatment on job sites, Tuesday, Feb. 1, 2022 outside of the Associated Builders and Contractors Greater Michigan Chapter in Midland.
About 100 people gather in support of six former workers of United Electrical Contractors who have filed a lawsuit alleging racist treatment on job sites, Tuesday, Feb. 1, 2022 outside of the Associated Builders and Contractors Greater Michigan Chapter in Midland.
About 100 people gather in support of six former workers of United Electrical Contractors who have filed a lawsuit alleging racist treatment on job sites, Tuesday, Feb. 1, 2022 outside of the Associated Builders and Contractors Greater Michigan Chapter in Midland.
The Rev. Charles Williams, President of the Michigan Chapter of National Action Network, speaks as about 100 people gather in support of six former workers of United Electrical Contractors who have filed a lawsuit alleging racist treatment on job sites, Tuesday, Feb. 1, 2022 outside of the Associated Builders and Contractors Greater Michigan Chapter in Midland.
About 100 people gather in support of six former workers of United Electrical Contractors who have filed a lawsuit alleging racist treatment on job sites, Tuesday, Feb. 1, 2022 outside of the Associated Builders and Contractors Greater Michigan Chapter in Midland.
About 100 people gather in support of six former workers of United Electrical Contractors who have filed a lawsuit alleging racist treatment on job sites, Tuesday, Feb. 1, 2022 outside of the Associated Builders and Contractors Greater Michigan Chapter in Midland.
Mike Moran of Port Hurton joins about 100 people as they gather in support of six former workers of United Electrical Contractors who have filed a lawsuit alleging racist treatment on job sites, Tuesday, Feb. 1, 2022 outside of the Associated Builders and Contractors Greater Michigan Chapter in Midland.
About 100 people gather in support of six former workers of United Electrical Contractors who have filed a lawsuit alleging racist treatment on job sites, Tuesday, Feb. 1, 2022 outside of the Associated Builders and Contractors Greater Michigan Chapter in Midland.
Cameron Haynes, center, chats with Brian Klele, right, as about 100 people gather in support of six former workers of United Electrical Contractors who have filed a lawsuit alleging racist treatment on job sites, Tuesday, Feb. 1, 2022 outside of the Associated Builders and Contractors Greater Michigan Chapter in Midland.
Kearin Dame, center, joins about 100 people as they gather in support of six former workers of United Electrical Contractors who have filed a lawsuit alleging racist treatment on job sites, Tuesday, Feb. 1, 2022 outside of the Associated Builders and Contractors Greater Michigan Chapter in Midland.
About 100 people gather in support of six former workers of United Electrical Contractors who have filed a lawsuit alleging racist treatment on job sites, Tuesday, Feb. 1, 2022 outside of the Associated Builders and Contractors Greater Michigan Chapter in Midland.
Ryan Charney of IBEW Local 629 speaks as about 100 people gather in support of six former workers of United Electrical Contractors who have filed a lawsuit alleging racist treatment on job sites, Tuesday, Feb. 1, 2022 outside of the Associated Builders and Contractors Greater Michigan Chapter in Midland.
About 100 people gather in support of six former workers of United Electrical Contractors who have filed a lawsuit alleging racist treatment on job sites, Tuesday, Feb. 1, 2022 outside of the Associated Builders and Contractors Greater Michigan Chapter in Midland.
About 100 people gather in support of six former workers of United Electrical Contractors who have filed a lawsuit alleging racist treatment on job sites, Tuesday, Feb. 1, 2022 outside of the Associated Builders and Contractors Greater Michigan Chapter in Midland.
About 100 people gather in support of six former workers of United Electrical Contractors who have filed a lawsuit alleging racist treatment on job sites, Tuesday, Feb. 1, 2022 outside of the Associated Builders and Contractors Greater Michigan Chapter in Midland.
About 100 people gather in support of six former workers of United Electrical Contractors who have filed a lawsuit alleging racist treatment on job sites, Tuesday, Feb. 1, 2022 outside of the Associated Builders and Contractors Greater Michigan Chapter in Midland.
About 100 people gather in support of six former workers of United Electrical Contractors who have filed a lawsuit alleging racist treatment on job sites, Tuesday, Feb. 1, 2022 outside of the Associated Builders and Contractors Greater Michigan Chapter in Midland.
About 100 people gather in support of six former workers of United Electrical Contractors who have filed a lawsuit alleging racist treatment on job sites, Tuesday, Feb. 1, 2022 outside of the Associated Builders and Contractors Greater Michigan Chapter in Midland.
Cameron Haynes, center, chats with Brian Klele, right, as about 100 people gather in support of six former workers of United Electrical Contractors who have filed a lawsuit alleging racist treatment on job sites, Tuesday, Feb. 1, 2022 outside of the Associated Builders and Contractors Greater Michigan Chapter in Midland.
Ryan Husse of IBEW Local 252 speaks as about 100 people gather in support of six former workers of United Electrical Contractors who have filed a lawsuit alleging racist treatment on job sites, Tuesday, Feb. 1, 2022 outside of the Associated Builders and Contractors Greater Michigan Chapter in Midland.
About 100 people gather in support of six former workers of United Electrical Contractors who have filed a lawsuit alleging racist treatment on job sites, Tuesday, Feb. 1, 2022 outside of the Associated Builders and Contractors Greater Michigan Chapter in Midland.
About 100 people gather in support of six former workers of United Electrical Contractors who have filed a lawsuit alleging racist treatment on job sites, Tuesday, Feb. 1, 2022 outside of the Associated Builders and Contractors Greater Michigan Chapter in Midland.
About 100 people gather in support of six former workers of United Electrical Contractors who have filed a lawsuit alleging racist treatment on job sites, Tuesday, Feb. 1, 2022 outside of the Associated Builders and Contractors Greater Michigan Chapter in Midland.
About 100 people gather in support of six former workers of United Electrical Contractors who have filed a lawsuit alleging racist treatment on job sites, Tuesday, Feb. 1, 2022 outside of the Associated Builders and Contractors Greater Michigan Chapter in Midland.
Richard Mack, an attorney hired to represent six former workers of United Electrical Contractors who have filed a lawsuit alleging racist treatment on job sites, speaks during a rally Tuesday, Feb. 1, 2022 outside of the Associated Builders and Contractors Greater Michigan Chapter in Midland.
About 100 people gather in support of six former workers of United Electrical Contractors who have filed a lawsuit alleging racist treatment on job sites, Tuesday, Feb. 1, 2022 outside of the Associated Builders and Contractors Greater Michigan Chapter in Midland.
About 100 people gather in support of six former workers of United Electrical Contractors who have filed a lawsuit alleging racist treatment on job sites, Tuesday, Feb. 1, 2022 outside of the Associated Builders and Contractors Greater Michigan Chapter in Midland.
About 100 people gather in support of six former workers of United Electrical Contractors who have filed a lawsuit alleging racist treatment on job sites, Tuesday, Feb. 1, 2022 outside of the Associated Builders and Contractors Greater Michigan Chapter in Midland.
A diverse group of about 100 people rallied in front of Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) Greater Michigan in Midland on Tuesday morning. They called for the resignation of the company’s statewide president, Jimmy Greene, following his alleged dismissal as bogus of a lawsuit citing obscene racism and discrimination against six former workers.
Six plaintiffs of a federal lawsuit filed Jan. 20, deemed the “United Six,” are former employees of Lansing-based United Electrical Contractors (UEC). They filed a lawsuit citing rampant racism and discrimination at UEC. The plaintiffs, five of whom are minorities, allege that UEC supervisors and employees routinely discriminated against them based on their color and used names like the N-word and “wetback,” and made comments like such as “Hurry up before I pull out my whip” and “Go back to your plantation.”
The six workers said they were also given severely disparate treatment, training opportunities and compensation in relation to white workers. UEC fired the workers allegedly after they raised concerns.
After the six filed their lawsuit, one of the attorneys on the case, Richard Mack of Miller Cohen, P.L.C, said Greene reportedly deemed the lawsuit bogus about three hours later. Mack said Greene didn’t even investigate the claims against United Electrical, which is a member of ABC, a trade association of non-union contracting companies.
A statement released by ABC Greater Michigan Chapter on Jan. 20, entitled “Bogus Lawsuit Filed against United Electrical Contractors,” begins with this paragraph: “In a weak attempt to oust United Electrical Contractors from numerous construction projects that were rightly won, IBEW has created a false narrative with former employees filing federal suit claiming racism. In response to the unfounded and false claims bolstered by the IBEW against United Electric, ABC of Michigan Chapter President Jimmy Greene states: ‘It has come to my attention that building trades unions are using disparaging and libelous accusations of racism or racist behaviors directed at United Electrical. Nothing could be further from the truth. I have been CEO & President of Associated Builders & Contractors for 13 years and lead the State of Michigan’s contractors not just on policy and workforce issues but in developing a culture embracing diversity and I lead that initiative across the nation.'”
At times during Tuesday’s rally, protestors shouted, “Shame on you, Jimmy Greene.”
“I didn’t dismiss anything,” Greene told the Daily News in an interview Tuesday.
“I deplore racism,” said Greene, who is Black. “I deplore people who practice it.”
One of the plaintiffs, Jordan Shank, said Tuesday, “Today, I hope we get our point across to Jimmy Greene and that racial slurs won’t be tolerated in the workplace.”
Greene noted the complaints weren’t even against ABC, they were against United Electrical Contractors, which he said is one of about 1,000 members of ABC.
When asked if he would be willing to meet with the six plaintiffs, Greene said he “absolutely” would.
Shank, who is white, said he worked for UEC from 2019 to 2020. In April 2019, he said he was injured on the job and upon returning to work he was demoted from his foreman position. He said during his UEC time, the white employees received preferential treatment and he heard another foreman using the n-word to address Black employees.
Shank, along with the five other plaintiffs, all reported observing racial discrimination in the workplace.
“This is a Jim Crow-era novel, and for these six people, they can’t close the book,” Mack said.
In addition, Mack said if Greene had investigated the complaints and had not immediately dismissed them and had not come out saying that he too was Black, the nearly 100 protesters would not have been out there on Monday.
Lamarr Jones drove all the way from Detroit for the protest. He said the issue was bigger than the mileage he had to put on his car.
“This is a huge issue,” Jones said. “He (Greene) denounced the lawsuit before he even did an investigation.”
Jones suggested that one imagine getting their dream job and going to work and having their boss grope them daily – then having to put up with that to keep their job. He compares the analogy to what the six workers went through.
“There’s so much wrong here, it hurts my conscience and goes to my soul,” said Bay City NAACP President Darold Newton.
“The time is right to do what’s right,” he said. “It saddens me that in 2022 we’re still trying to get equal rights in the workplace.”
International Brothers of Electrical Workers (IBEW) member Laurie Thybault, of Traverse City, was also at the rally.
“It could have been me,” Thybault said. “I’ve been an electrician for 26 years.”
She said she’s been discriminated against by others during her years of service.
“It’s happened to me, but my (fellow employees) stood up for me until I could for myself.
“It’s unbelievable it’s still happening,” she added.
She suspects more people will come forth as the lawsuit becomes better known.
“How could there not be?” she asked. “None of the guys knew each other and all have the same stories.”
Thybault said it is hideous and horrific that people had to work in such conditions and be slighted for their race or ethnicity.
“It’s unbelievable it’s still happening,” she said.
Also speaking at the rally was plaintiff Tyler Richardson of Lansing, who talked about enduring racism while working as an apprentice electrician for UEC in 2020.
“While working at UEC, I heard so many racial slurs and epithets directed towards me and other Black people. The n-word was used by white employees, including members of management, countless times,” he said in a statement.
Richardson said while on job sites, employees would bring up politics and make negative comments about Black people. He also witnessed employees making derogatory comments towards Hispanic employees. Richardson said the employees said management did nothing or laughed or both when being told of the complaints.
Micah Perkins of Grand Rapids was there protesting to support his union brothers and sisters. He said there is no place for racism in the workplace and it sickens him that it happened to these people.
“I hope the United Six get the justice they deserve,” Perkins said.
Ryan Husse, of the IBEW, said the protest was about bringing awareness of injustice to people and to ask for Greene’s resignation.
“He has no interest in addressing the situation at hand,” Husse said of Greene, saying that the ABC president only wants to protect his “pet contractor.”
Also attending was IBEW Business Manager Local 692, Ryan Charney, who said people were attending to stand up for the fellow workers and because “discrimination needs to stop.”
A similar rally was held in Ann Arbor after the filing of the lawsuit. More rallies are planned, including in Lansing, where Greene’s ABC office is.
UEC did not immediately return calls from the Daily News seeking comment about the lawsuit.
