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Via Workers World News Service
Reprinted from the Nov. 28, 1996
issue of Workers World newspaper
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Gay workers win a round at Chrysler

By Martha Grevatt, Member, UAW Local 122

Lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered workers at Chrysler Corp. have scored a victory in their battle to win protection against discrimination. A national mobilization to demand a non-discrimination pledge from the auto company forced Chrysler to go on record on an issue it had always dodged.

In a letter dated Nov. 11, Chrysler Chief Executive Officer Robert Eaton stated, "Chrysler does not tolerate harassment or discrimination of any employee on any basis, including sexual orientation." The letter was mailed to every Chrysler employee.

This represents a change from the company's position during recent contract negotiations with the Auto Workers union. At that time management emphatically refused to add the words "sexual orientation" to the "Equal Application" section of the contract.

But when the bosses refused to pledge to stop discriminating, they met resistance.

The struggle began with weekly pickets and then a daily vigil at Chrysler sites around the country. Workers demanded that Chrysler sign a memorandum of understanding with the union, prohibiting anti-gay discrimination.

The struggle picked up enough steam to attract significant media attention. The Wall Street Journal even wrote about it, quoting workers who told of anti-gay hate crimes against them on the job at Chrysler.

Then a national day of protest was called for Nov. 14, and organized via the Internet. Pride At Work, the National Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgendered Labor Organization, helped.

When news of the day of protest spread, Chrysler started getting a flood of letters, calls and faxes demanding the auto maker sign a non-discrimination pledge.

On Nov. 14, over 20 protest activities took place. Supporters included unionists, college students and members of the group PFLAG-Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays.

While no official boycott was ever called, Chrysler bosses were obviously worried that publicity around their anti-gay policies would affect car buyers. They told callers that Chrysler does not discriminate, and that the complaints by lesbian and gay workers involved "perceived discrimination" by "disgruntled employees."

More than one caller was told that his or her call was the first about the issue.

Organizers of the protests regard Eaton's letter as a victory. But they say this concession is not enough.

The weekly pickets are continuing as workers demand Chrysler bosses sign a binding memorandum of understanding, institute diversity training, and include the words "sexual orientation" in all policy documents that bar discrimination.

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