By Don McIntosh
Culture change is coming. At least, that’s the goal of a broad construction industry coalition that’s begun to meet monthly to talk about ending racial and sexual harassment on Portland-area construction job sites.
Conceived last summer after a noose incident on a downtown Portland construction site, the Safe From Hate effort brings together union leaders, general contractors, public agency construction project owners, trade groups, and pre-apprentice training program leaders. More than 60 of them took part in a Dec. 3 Zoom meeting, the group’s third monthly summit, and firmed up a steering committee with representatives from each sector. The goal outlined in a job site culture pledge is to cultivate a respectful workplace, safe from hate, racism, sexism, discrimination, harassment, and bullying.