EEOC Refuses Pause in Lawsuit Despite Tesla’s Attempt
The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) has urged a federal judge to decline Tesla Inc’s request to halt legal proceedings regarding the company’s Fremont, California, assembly plant, citing allegations of pervasive racial bias.
Denial of Tesla’s Motion by EEOC
In a recent filing in San Francisco federal court, the EEOC countered Tesla’s plea to pause the case, rejecting the company’s argument that the lawsuit duplicates two other ongoing racial discrimination cases against Tesla. The agency dismissed Tesla’s motion as baseless, aiming to divert attention from the substantive allegations and the significant racial issues plaguing its Fremont facilities.
“Tesla has filed a groundless motion in a transparent attempt to deflect attention from the EEOC’s substantive allegations and the serious racial problems that pervade its Fremont Facilities,” stated the agency.
Tesla has yet to respond to the EEOC’s recent statement.
Allegations of Racial Bias and Retaliation
The EEOC’s September lawsuit alleges a pattern of racial discrimination and hostile work conditions at the Fremont plant, claiming that Black workers faced continuous racial slurs, graffiti featuring swastikas and nooses, and experienced reprisals for raising complaints from 2015 to the present.
Additionally, California’s Civil Rights Department filed a lawsuit in 2022, asserting similar grievances against Tesla, accusing the company of endorsing discriminatory practices against Black employees regarding pay, promotions, and work assignments. Another lawsuit, a pending proposed class action initiated by Tesla workers in 2017, raises allegations of racial harassment.
Tesla’s Defense and Disputed Claims
Tesla, while denying any wrongdoing, is also contesting a $3.2 million compensation granted to a former Black elevator operator at the Fremont plant in a distinct racial harassment lawsuit.
Last month, Tesla moved to dismiss the EEOC lawsuit, asserting the commission’s failure to pinpoint specific instances of discrimination. However, the EEOC has yet to respond to Tesla’s dismissal request.
The commission clarified on Wednesday that its case diverges from the other ongoing cases, emphasizing that its lawsuit pertains to violations of federal workplace discrimination laws, distinct from the cases in state court governed by California laws. The EEOC also refuted Tesla’s claim of not offering the company a chance to settle before initiating legal action.
