Salem 'blames and intimidates workers' for reporting harassment, discrimination, union says

City of Salem leaders should adopt effective, easy-to-access complaint processes and switch from internet-based discrimination and harassment training to in-person training, according to a list of recommendations issued Wednesday by the city workers' union.

American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Local 2067 representatives included the recommendations in a letter to Mina Hanssen, Salem's human resources director, in response to allegations of sexual harassment and discrimination at the city.

The letter, signed by Local 2067 President Matt Starbuck and Chief Steward and Vice President Steve Hall, comes after the state Bureau of Labor and Industries earlier this month dismissed two complaints of sexual harassment against city workers. State investigators cited a lack of sufficient evidence to move forward with their investigation. Two other complaints are still under investigation.

Previous: 'Blatant discrimination,' sexual harassment cited as City of Salem workplace problems

"Just because these two cases were dismissed does not mean there is not a serious problem with sexual harassment and racial discrimination at the City of Salem, both in the fact that these problems are occurring but also in the way employees are treated once they make a complaint," the letter stated.

In the letter, representatives also criticized human resource officials' conduct, writing, "Human Resources regularly singles out, blames and intimidates workers who come forward asking for help to stop racial discrimination and sexual harassment."

"The problem is not the feeling of discrimination but a system of pressuring workers to endure the harassment or leave their jobs," the letter stated.

Complaints dismissed:Sexual harassment complaints against Salem workers dismissed for lack of evidence

They pointed to the example of Jose Botello, a Hispanic employee who filed one of the BOLI complaints still under investigation. He claimed he was called a "bitch" by Michael Gandolfi, a services coordinator, and was "singled out for the same conduct that coworkers are not."

According to Wednesday's letter, Botello was proud of his work as a certified mechanic repairing fire trucks and police cars for the city, but he "was stressed to the point of physical illness from having to endure demeaning discrimination and harassment."

Botello switched jobs and now works for Salem's Public Works Department. "Only after Jose took his complaint outside of the city was he allowed to transfer to a lower-paying job to get away from his harassers," the letter stated. "Those harassers are still in charge of Jose's old department."

In a statement to the Statesman Journal, City Manager Steve Powers said, "I want the same thing as AFSCME Local 2067: a safe, respectful work place for all City of Salem employees. The city will continue to work with Local 2067 on any concerns and ideas."

Jonathan Bach has been the Statesman Journal's business and City Hall reporter since 2016. To support his work, Subscribe to the Statesman Journal. Contact him by email at jbach@statesmanjournal.com, call (503) 399-6714 or follow him on Twitter @jonathanmbach.