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Tesla Factory: A Hotbed of Racist Slurs?
22 Sep
Summary
- Black employees reported daily racist slurs and bullying.
- State lawsuit alleges unequal pay and promotions for Black workers.
- Tesla denies allegations, citing disciplinary actions against misconduct.
A state lawsuit against Tesla, initiated with opening statements on Monday, centers on allegations of "rampant racism" at the company's Fremont factory. Dozens of Black employees have reported experiencing daily racist slurs, unequal pay and promotions, and bullying by supervisors, with management allegedly doing little to address the issues. Evidence presented includes photographs of racist graffiti found throughout the facility.
The lawsuit, filed in February 2022, claims Tesla violated California's Fair Employment and Housing Act. It alleges racial segregation, lower pay, fewer promotions, and higher termination rates for Black workers compared to their white counterparts. The state seeks damages and injunctive relief to compel changes in Tesla's labor practices.
Tesla has denied all wrongdoing, calling the lawsuit "misguided" and emphasizing its policies against employee misconduct. The company pointed to its majority-minority workforce and its role as a major employer in California. However, this is one of several discrimination suits against Tesla, including a federal case where a former employee was awarded $137 million.
