Noose incident at auto factory probed
Windsor police, union leaders and Fiat Chrysler Automobile officials are searching for someone who targeted a black co- worker with a hang noose on his vehicle — and again inside the Windsor Assembly Plant — during the minivan plant’s $ 2 billion retooling project.
The victim of the alleged hate crime is from Windsor, in his late 40s, and one of hundreds of members of Labourers International Union of North America ( LIUNA) Local 625. The plant is currently on a lengthy shutdown, and there are no unionized autoworkers on site.
LIUNA officials said Monday the victim was shaken. He declined to speak about the incidents.
“FCA Canada has a zero- tolerance policy regarding harassment or discrimination of any kind,” said Lou Ann Gosselin, head of communications for Fiat Chrysler Canada. “This policy applies not only to our own employees, but also to vendors or contractors working at our facilities.”
The police department’s patrol investigative team is following up, but is only in the early stages of its investigation, said Staff Sgt. Dave Kigar. “They will be doing interviewing, but also following up with the complainant and Chrysler security to make sure of the worker’s safety,” he said. “People should be allowed to come to work and feel safe.”
Police will be looking to see if there is any security video evidence, Kigar said.
The initial incident occurred Thursday when the worker found a noose hanging on his truck, according to a union official.
Supervisors on the job were informed and reacted quickly. They gave the upset worker the rest of the day off work with pay.
Dozens of workers involved with the plant’s retooling job were told Friday the hang noose incident was unacceptable, according to a union spokesperson. But shortly after that meeting a second incident occurred with a hang noose found strung on a golf cart in the victim’s general work area, the union official said.
Workers inside the plant are being encouraged to come forward and provide information.
About 1,500 people have been working at the plant for the retooling. Along with hundreds of LIUNA labourers, there are also up to 600 members of International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers — most working 10 hours a day, seven days a week until the renovation is completed in late May.