SCCNOW News Volume 11, Issue 3 November 1996

Santa Cruz County Chapter of the National Organization for Women Newsletter


Contents

  • Prop 209 -The Big Lie
  • CAL NOW PAC's Recommendations with links to info on the Propositions
  • Reverse Discrimination?
  • Feminist Consumer Action Alert:Mitsubishi/Dodge
  • SCCNOW Membership Application
  • Beyond Beijing - One Year Later
  • Chapter & Community Calendars

    Prop 209 - The Big Lie
    by Julie S.

    Remember the proposition last election that pretended to be an anti-smoking amendment? The fine print, when read, showed that the amendment would actually have weakened anti-smoking ordinances all over the state. Also, the whole thing turned out to be financed by Phillip Morris, the tobacco company. Well, that was the Big Lie of the last election and Prop 209 is the Big Lie of this election.

    Though it pretends to be aimed at ending all "preferences," (right-wing polit-speak for equal opportunity) its true target is the section of the California Constitution that protects women from discrimination. The Federal Constitution protects other classes from discrimination through the 14th Amendment but it does not protect women. Remember? - that is why we need a federal Equal Rights Amendment.

    In a "double whammy," Prop 209 will remove the active pursuit of equal opportunity currently provided by the state's voluntary, no-quota affirmative action programs. It will also legalize wholesale discrimination against California women by watering down the antidiscrimination standards for gender. Don't be fooled by it NO on 209! It is this election's Big Lie! Note: A "No on 209" march and rally is in the planning stages for November 1st or 2nd in Santa Cruz. Call Julie at 408/728-3988 for info.


    Reverse Discrimination?
    White men are 33% of the population, and yet they are:
    85% of the tenured professors
    85% of partners in major law firms
    80% of the U.S. House of Representatives
    90% of the U.S. Senate
    95% of Fortune 500 CEO's
    97% of school superintendents
    100% of U.S. presidents
    ~ ACLU


    FEMINIST CONSUMER ACTION ALERT: MITSUBISHI/DODGE ATTACKS AGAINST WOMEN
    by Shannon S.

    You have probably received your copy of the National NOW times, which reports that NOW VP Rosemary Dempsey joined feminists in Japan to protest the Japanese business's management and anti-woman practices. In the article, there is some mention of the problems at the Mitsubishi plant in Normal, Illinois. This article is a call to action on the part of all of you to do a small part to address the problem of sexual harassment.

    THE PROBLEM:
    The Chicago office of the Federal Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) has filed a suit against Mitsubishi, charging:
    * A hostile and abusive work environment... unwelcome verbal and physical sexual conduct, including sexual graffiti, sexually derogatory and explicit comments and innuendo, and unwanted groping, grabbing, and touching;
    * Conditioning the terms, conditions, and benefits of employment on women's acquiescence in sexual harassment and/or sexual relationships;
    * Unwelcome sex-based comments and conduct;
    * Failing to take immediate and appropriate corrective action in response to complaints or other notice of sexual or sex-based harassment and/or retaliation;
    * Retaliating against a class of female employees who have opposed practices made unlawful by Title VII; and
    * Causing a class of female employees to resign their employment because of continued sexual and sex-based harassment and retaliation.

    This suit was based on reports by women that they were subject to treatment including:
    * The grabbing of women's breasts, buttocks, and genital areas;
    * Putting an air gun between a woman's legs and pulling the trigger;
    * Male workers rubbing their genitalia against women workers;
    * Male workers masturbating while staring at women working beside them;
    * Referring to women workers as sluts, whores, bitches;
    * Routinely asking women about their sexual habits and preferences;
    * Presence of photos showing men workers performing sex acts at sex parties;
    * Drawings of sexual acts with women's names attached to cars moving down the line.

    In one extreme case, a harasser showed up at a woman co-worker's house, raped and murdered her 12-year-old daughter, then wrote a detailed description of the rape and murder next to the sexual fantasies and graffiti other men had written on the bathroom wall at the plant.

    Women who complained were ostracized, ridiculed and their work was sabotaged. One woman reports having it announced over the factory's public address system that she was accusing men of sexual harassment. She was reprimanded for her inability to get along with co-workers.

    In addition, women who have complained have been physically threatened. One woman who is part of a class action suit against the company found notes in her locker such as "Die Bitch! You'll Be Sorry!" and "Accidents happen. Watch your ass."

    MITSUBISHI'S RESPONSE On April 22 of this year, Mitsubishi sent 59 busloads of auto workers to Chicago to protest the EEOC's lawsuit. They shut two shifts at the plant down, paid for the buses and lunches, and gave workers a full day's pay. Sign-up lists were posted publicly so that everyone knew who was going and who wasn't. Those who did not go were required to write letters to their supervisors explaining what they planned to do when they reported in for work that day. In addition, management threatened that if sales were affected by the suit, employees would be laid off. This is a significant threat as Mitsubishi is one of only two major employers in Normal and the company is seen as having "rescued" the town.

    Many people responded to the problems and Mitsubishi's response with outrage. The company responded to letters by claiming that they had increased sensitivity training (mostly at management level). They hired former Labor Department Secretary Lynn Martin to recommend changes in policies and procedures. In all of Mitsubishi's plans to deal with the problem, there was no indication of how any new policies would be enforced.
    ACTION INVITATION
    I recently had the jarring experience of observing a local female progressive elected official driving a new Mitsubishi. Every new Mitsubishi I see I view as a contribution to active sexual harassment. Many NOW chapters have formed informational pickets at Mitsubishi dealerships. Santa Cruz does not have a Mitsubishi dealership. However, you can be an educator a different way. The autos made in the Normal plant include:

    Mitsubishi Galant
    Mitsubishi Eclipse
    Chrysler Eagle Talon
    Dodge Avenger
    Dodge Sebring
    Your mission, when you see one of these vehicles, is to educate the owner about sexual harassment and provide the owner with an action of their own. Enclosed in this newsletter is a letter you can place under the windshield of a vehicle along with one for the owner to send to Mitsubishi. Keep several copies in your car so you can participate in your very own individual action.

    *******************************
    Dear Mitsubishi/Dodge/Chrysler Owner:
    I am very concerned about recent actions taken by the company that has produced your car, and I would like to share these concerns with you.

    The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission has filed a suit against Mitsubishi for sexual harassment and unlawful retaliation against women employees. The examples cited by the EEOC include grabbing women, placing objects between women's legs, referring to women workers in derogatory slang terms, making drawings of female workers in sexual poses, attaching them to the autos going down the line, and in one case, a harasser went to a woman's house and sexually assaulted and killed her 12-year-old daughter.

    Mitsubishi's response to the suit was to give employees the day off with pay so that they could go to Chicago and protest the suit. Employees who did not want to go were forced to write letters of explanation. All of the workers were told they were likely to lose their jobs as a result of the suit. In addition, while the company has claimed that they are providing more training and revising their policies, there does not appear in any of these policies to be a method of enforcement.

    Sexual harassment hurts everyone on the job, and I'm sure you will agree with me that it doesn't have any place in the workforce. I hope you will consider sending the enclosed note to Mitsubishi telling them that it is the inaction by Mitsubishi that is offensive, not the reporting of harassment by women.

    Thank you very much for your consideration and help with this distressing problem.
    *******************************
    Takahisa Komoto, President and Chief Operating Officer Mitsubishi Motor Manufacturing of America, Inc.
    U.S. Route 50
    Normal, IL 61761-8099

    Dear Mr. Komoto:

    I own a ______________________. I was distressed to hear of the sexual harassment of women at the Normal plant and of your company's reaction to their complaints.

    For the most part, I have been happy with my purchase. However, I am not happy with the idea that my money has gone to a company that actively fights against equality. By your actions, you condone sexual harassment, which I believe does not belong in any workplace.

    I hope that you will consider making changes within your company that will eradicate sex discrimination, so that I can once again be a proud owner of a Mitsubishi-made automobile. Your actions thus far will make me think twice about buying another or recommending one to my friends.

    Sincerely,




    ***********************************************************************

    Newsletter Policy
    This newsletter is put out with volunteer labor for members & friends of Santa Cruz County NOW. Special thanks from the editor go to Sally W. The editor reserves the right to print and/or edit articles based on either style, size or content. Deadline for submission is the 2nd Friday of the month. Please submit to SCCNOW Editor, PO Box 1119, Felton, CA 95018-1119.

    Advertising space is available. Ad rates are as follows
    ~ Business Card Ad:
    Member/3 month: $30,
    Member/6 month: $50;
    Non-member/3 month: $45,
    Non-member/6 month: $75.
    1/4-Page Ad: Member/3 month: $60,
    Member/6 month: $100;
    Non-member/3 month: $90,
    Non-member/6 month: $150.
    Call 476-6882 for more info. Send material on disk in Mac format or via e-mail to
    e-mail to jp@got.net.
    All material submitted should have one's name and phone number on it. All items passed along from other printed sources or organizations must have the source clearly indicated. More complete explanation of newsletter policy is available upon request from the chapter address.


    Cal NOW PAC's ballot recommendations:
    The California NOW PAC has taken positions on the following ballot initiatives:
    PROP
    208 "California Political Reform Act" - No Position
    PROP 209 "California Civil 'Rights' Initiative" - OPPOSE
    PROP 210 "Living Wage Act of 1996" - SUPPORT
    PROP 211 "Retirement Savings and Consumer Protection Act" - SUPPORT
    PROP 212 "Anti-Corruption Act of 1996" - OPPOSE
    PROP 213 "Personal Responsibility Act of 1996" - OPPOSE
    PROP 214 "The Health Care Patient Protection Act" - SUPPORT
    PROP 215 "Compassionate Use Act of 1996" - SUPPORT
    PROP 216 "The Patient Protection Act" - SUPPORT
    PROP 217 "Local Control and Fiscal Responsibility Act" - SUPPORT
    PROP 218 "Right to Vote on Taxes Act" - OPPOSE

    BEYOND BEIJING - ONE YEAR LATER
    by Julie S.

    One year after the U.N. Conference on Women in Beijing, the spirit of hope and hard work lives on. The White House organized a teleconference to assess progress in the lot of U.S. women in the past year. Perhaps orchestrated would be a better verb, actually, as it turned out to be something of an election year showcase event. No matter - I can't picture George Bush having done it at all, and certainly Mr. Dole wouldn't allow his wife to get on TV for the U.N. and all that diversity stuff.

    The event was brought to Cabrillo College due to a grant written by some of the Beijing attendees. UCSC and CSUMB also hosted events. There were times for introductions, the telecast, and a conference call from one of the panelists, a member of the Department of Education. Local concerns were also e-mailed in to the White House during the conference. The interactive exchange did give a tremendous sense of participation directly in government. It's a rare feeling for an activist, and yet I think it was the key inspiration of Beijing as well. When women get together the world changes, subtly and slowly most often, but powerfully.

    Board Members
    Coordinator Shannon S 408/728-3988
    Legislative Action Christian S 408/335-7221
    Recorder Diane L 408/662-9562
    Treasurer Open
    Newsletter Jennifer P 408/476-6882
    Membership Julie S 408/728-3988
    Webster Christian S 408/335-7221
    Chapter Phone 408/335-7704




    CHAPTER CALENDAR
    November
    07 SCCNOW Board/General Meeting. 7-9pm. Thurs. Everyone welcome! 408/335-7704

    20 SCCNOW Newsletter Folding Party. 7-9pm. Wed. Everyone welcome! 408/476-6882

    23 CA NOW State Board Meeting. Beverly Garland Hotel, Sacramento. 916/442-3414

    December

    05 Holiday Salon. Watch newsletter for details.

    Community Calendar
    (not sponsored or endorsed by NOW)

    November

    05 Election Day - VOTE??? Remember "No" on 209!!!

    09 Kristallnacht, the night the Holocaust began, 1938.

    11 Veterans Day

    12 Elizabeth Cady Stanton born, 1815.

    21 National Organization for Women founded, 1966.

    29 Thanksgiving

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