Thousands of Black Workers at Tesla Can Sue for Racism, Judge Rules

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In a groundbreaking development, almost 6,000 Black workers from Tesla Inc.’s California factory have been granted permission by a California judge to collectively sue the car manufacturer over allegations of racism. The ruling states that Tesla failed to protect its Black employees from discrimination, making it a common issue among all workers at the Fremont plant.

Alameda County Superior Court Judge Noël Wise, in her tentative ruling, stated that the workers should be allowed to proceed with class action status. She emphasized that Tesla’s alleged “pattern or practice” of not taking reasonable measures to prevent discrimination was a significant concern affecting all Black workers. Tesla has until Thursday to contest the ruling, and a hearing has been scheduled for Friday to hear arguments from both sides.

The lawsuit was initially filed in 2017 by Tesla worker Marcus Vaughn. Vaughn claimed that the factory production floor was marred by “hotbeds of racist behavior.” The complaint included allegations of racial slurs regularly used by co-workers and supervisors. Employees’ complaints to human resources were reportedly left unanswered. In response, Tesla published a blog post titled “Hotbed of Misinformation,” denying any wrongdoing and asserting their termination of three individuals after investigating the alleged incidents.

Elon Musk’s electric vehicle company has faced several individual racism lawsuits, with damages awarded against it. Tesla is also currently battling claims made by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and California’s civil rights agency. If the case goes to trial, Judge Wise intends to divide it into two phases. In the first phase, the jury will determine whether Tesla failed to adequately address discrimination and harassment. If Tesla is found liable, the second phase will focus on the plaintiffs seeking damages.

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The ruling by Judge Wise represents a significant step forward in the fight against workplace discrimination. It opens the door for collective action, offering a chance for justice to thousands of Black workers at Tesla. This development showcases the importance of safeguarding employees’ rights and the responsibility of employers to create an inclusive and discrimination-free work environment.

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