Saturday February 27th, 2009
Jefferson Co. Ga. Chapter
President
Minister, James Ivery
Attends Sylvania Ga. Rally
Minister Ivery Went to Sylvania Ga. to join his fellow chapter in protest of the
29 teachers there to be laid off or fired.
Also in attendance were the national SCLC ESQUIRE, Dexter Wimbish and the Direct Action department of the National SCLC
SYLVANIA Ga. Mass Rally Feb. 27th, 2009
Top Story
John Deere Incidents
Dec. 9th, 2008
The Jefferson Co. Chapter of the S.C.L.C. addressed a call from African Americans employed at the John Deere Plant 4000, in Grovetown Ga. The Jefferson Co S.C.L.C., with the support of the Richmond Co. Chapter S.C.L.C.,the National ActionNetwork, Operation P.U.S.H., and the national S.C.L.C, addressed issues of racism, hate crimes, job discrimination, and retaliation at the John Deere plant.
Fact Finding Mission
John Deere
(Job)
Racism.Discrimination.Hate crimes:
On Oct.13th, 2008, the Jefferson Co Ga. Chapter S.C.L.C.
(Southern Christian Leadership Conference), received a phone call from Miss Veronica D'Antignac asking for the chapter's help, she stated that she is employed at the John Deere Plant 4000 in Grovetown Ga.she stated that her supervisor Mr. Alfredo Renzi approached her and said to her, that he had a necklace for her and tried to place a hangman noose around her neck, and that she got away from him and alerted some African American men also employed at the John Deere Plant 4000 in Grovetown Ga.
Prior to the above incident, miss D'Antignac had received hate mail from her supervisor via company computer to her e-mail, which she reported to human resources at the plant. She went back to her station and obtained the noose and reported to the Human Resource Dept. Following the incident the Supervisor was terminated and miss D'Antignac went on medical leave.
Miss D'Antignac filed criminal
charges and a court hearing ensued with judge Holloway of the Columbia co. Ga.court system dismissing the case, asserting that the federal crime committed by the Supervisor was just a joke.
Other victims of racism, hate crimes, and job discrimination, at the John Deere plant 4000 contacted the Jefferson co.S.C.L.C., by phone and written statements, some are reluctant to come forward in fear of losing their jobs.The victims includes:
1.Rev. James Reed Sr....Statement enclosed
2.Michael Dickson....Statement enclosed
3.Miss Veronica D'Antignac...
Statement inclosed
Oct. 30th 2008 a meeting took place initiated by the Jefferson Co. Ga. Chapter S.C.L.C. and held at 4 p.m. at the John Deere 4000 plant. On hand was, H.R. manager, Miss Sarah sining, and a representive sent from Moline Illnois, Mr.Troy Farley a John Deere company E.E.O manager.
Also at the meeting was Richmond County Chapter S.C.L.C. Rev. Martin, Jefferson Co. GA. Chapter S.C.L.C., Mr. James Ivery(president), Rev. Charles Washington-Chairman, G.W. Boatwright-Advisor,
Miss Cynthia Cuyler (executive secretary).
Two people from the S.C.L.C. was only allowed to participate in the meeting, Mr. Ivery and Mr.
Boatwright. After the meeting the Jefferson Co. Chapter S.C.L.C.
concluded their fact finding mission.
1.Fact: The company took direct action in the noose incident by allegedly terminating Mr. Alfredo Renzi, the supervisor who committed the alleged crime,however Judge Holloway of the Columbia Co.court systems dismissed the court case aserting that the supervisor were just joking. Witnesses to the crime were not allowed to speak in Judge Holloway's court room.
The John Deere 4000 plant allowed Miss Veronica D'Antinac, the victim in the noose incident, medical leave. The noose in question were ceased and is now in control of the H.R. department by Sarah Sinning.
2.Fact: The company failed to follow their strict "no tolerence" rule policy by allowing the praticing of Job discrimination,Racial discrimination, and hate crimes toward African American employees by white
supervisors, white managers, and white employees.
3.Fact:After the first noose incident two other nooses were attached to tractors passing down the assembly lines, the incidents were reported but no company investigation was ensued.
4:Fact:Many African Americans employed at the John Deere 4000 plant in Grovetown Ga is and have been the target of viscious hate crimes, job discrimination, and racism with little are no intervention by heads of offices.
5.Fact:Managers, and supervisors knowingly andwillfully covered up crimes of hate, racism, and discrimination committed toward African American employees at the plant.
6.Fact:African American employees were fired for no reasons except that white people could be hired,to replace them.
7.Fact:H.R. manager, Miss Sarah Sining stated that since her employment as H.R. manager at the plant that she was unaware of the incidents at the 4000 plant except for the noose incident and that she had only been employed for a period of about a month. In fact numerous incidents had been reported to her office recently and in the past.
8.Fact: Miss sinning stated in the meeting thatno disciplinary actions would take place unless it passes through her office first, She further stated that she never used or have any knowledge of the line accessment documentation sheets (J.D.C.P. quality hold form) located on each assemply line of the plant.
9.Fact:All of the above incidents at the John Deere plant 4000, in Grovetown Ga. except for the noose incident were not reported to E.E.O. manager Mr. Troy Farley nor to Mr. Robert Lane the C.E.O. of the John Deere Company until an intervention and meeting with the Jefferson Co. Ga. Chapter of the S.C.L.C..
Demands:
The Jefferson Co. Ga. Chapter of the S.C.L.C. along with the Richmond Co. Chapter, and the
National S.C.L.C. request immediate action regarding the following:
1.Rid the plant of racism, hate crimes, and discrimination.
2.Rehire all African Americans who were discriminately terminated, and award them full back pay without retaliation.
3.Terminate all employees who violated the company's no 'tolerance rule', stemming from racism, hate crimes, and discrimination.
4.Immediate termination of all department heads and managers who covered up or failed to investigate, and take actions on discrimination, racism, and hate crimes against African Americans employed at the 4000 plant.
5.No retaliation on
employees who complained to the S.C.L.C. organization concerning racial or any other incidents.
6. Institute a credible racial sensitivity training for supervisors, managers, and employees.
Court System:
The Jefferson Co. Ga. Chapter of the S.C.L.C. along with the Richmond Co. Chapter, and the National S.C.L.C. hereby demands immediate action that the Columbia Co. Court system reopen the noose case involving Mr. Alfredo Renzi and the John Deere employee Miss Veronica D'Antinac, and try the case as a Federal Hate Crime. Also investigate and reprimand Judge Holloway for grave miscarriage of Justice in her court room.
Job Retaliations:
Nov. 3rd 2008, 7:30 a.m. the S.C.L.C. receieved a phone call from Mr. James Reed Jr., an employee at the John Deere Plant 4000 and who brought forth complaints of racial discrimination, hate crimes, and racism at the plant,which himself is a victim.
On the phone he appeared very upset as he stated that Mr. Wayne Habersham, president of the company's union approached him at his work station enraged, and pointing his finger in his face and stating,"I'm tired of your shit!, you got the N.A.A.C.P. out here, I'll get rid of the N.A.A.C.P. and you."(At this time I would like to make a correction that our organization is the S.C.L.C. and not the N.A.A.C.P.) Mr. Reed stated that he reported the incident to the H.R. department, Miss Sarah Sinning, who appeared to turn a blinded ear to his complaint, so he decided to phone the S.C.L.C.
At this time I Mr. James Ivery president of the Jefferson Co Ga. S.C.L.C. instructed Mr. Reed to remain calm and immediately write an incident report and deliver a copy to the H.R. department and ask for the rest of the day off because the incident were very upsetting.
I immediatly contacted Mr. Troy Farley E.E.O. manager of John Deere and reported the incident to him via telephone and e-mail. He stated in a meeting with him and the plant H.R. manager on Oct. 30th that their policy for this type of behavior on
the job is (zero). I also phoned Miss Sarah Sinning to no avail, however I e-mailed her the report at,
sinningsarahn@johndeere.com just the same to no reply, neither was my phone call returned.For the record it was also promised by Mr. Farley and Miss Sarah Sinning that they forbid retaliation and that it was against the law for retaliation on any employee who rendered job complaints.Nov. 13th, 2008....0655 am..John Deere Plant 4000 S.C.L.C. received a phone message from Mr.James Reed while he was at work, the message stated he was being harrassed and retailated on indirectly by the Union president Mr. Habersham. Mr. Habersham said to a Mr. Jerome that Mr Reed will be walked out of his job by him or carried out by him. I, Mr. Ivery (S.C.L.C.), phoned the E.E.O. of the national office in Ill., Mr. Troy Farley and told him of the incident and he said that he would call the John Deere 4000 plant H.R. manager Miss Sarah Sinning for intervention.
At 0720 a.m. I involved the Columbia Co. Sheriff dept, because I was very concerned for his safty due to the verbal threats that he had been getting from supervisor Mat, and Wayne Habersham president of the Company's union.
Sgt. David Kitchens Columbia Co. sheriff deparment responded back to me with results approx. one to two hours this morning.
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