Record #: R2018-40   
Type: Resolution Status: Failed to Pass
Intro date: 1/17/2018 Current Controlling Legislative Body: Committee on Finance
Final action:
Title: Call for Corporation Counsel, employees and executives of Ford Motor Company and executives of United Auto Workers Union to testify before Committee on Finance to discuss anti-harassment policies and efforts at Ford's Chicago Assembly Plant
Sponsors: Burke, Edward M., Laurino, Margaret, Austin, Carrie M., Harris, Michelle A., Valencia, Anna M.
Topic: COMMITTEE/PUBLIC HEARINGS - Committee on Finance
Attachments: 1. R2018-40.pdf
Related files: R2019-362
RESOLUTION


WHEREAS, women across the nation have united through a social media campaign sharing their stories of sexual harassment and assault and using the hashtag #metoo; and

WHEREAS, the #metoo movement has spread into courts, workplaces, legislative bodies, and universities bringing the topic and its severity to the forefront of American conversations; and

WHEREAS, the New York Times recently published an article stating that Ford's Chicago Assembly Plant and the Chicago Stamping Plant in Chicago Heights had a $22 million settlement in the 1990's that included three years of monitoring that ended in 2003; and

WHEREAS, in 2003 the monitors issued a final report warning of "significant risks that need attention, including staffers inexperienced in investigating complaints, the lack of a policy against fraternization and the practice of promoting people widely perceived to be harassers;" and

WHEREAS, in 2010, recovering from economically turbulent times, the Chicago Assembly Plant rushed to hire additional employees allegedly without taking time for proper sexual and racial harassment training; and

WHEREAS, today Ford employs approximately 5,700 workers at the Chicago Assembly and the Chicago Stamping Plant; and

WHEREAS, complaints of sexual and racial harassment increased significantly in 2010; and

WHEREAS, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) opened an investigation into Ford in 2014 and multiple women filed lawsuits alleging sexual and racial harassment, including retaliation; and

WHEREAS, by 2015, according to Ford, senior leaders were replaced and additional harassment training was required for all employees, including a policy change that required all salaried employees to disclose any family or romantic relationships with subordinates; and

WHEREAS, by August 2017, the EEOC and Ford Motor Company reached a $10 million settlement that required the managers to be more accountable and to be monitored for the next five years; and

WHEREAS...

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