Purpose
Teamsters Local 350 is committed to providing a respectful environment free of discrimination and harassment, regardless of an individual 's race, religion, color, sex, age, national origin, sexual orientation, disability, gender identity or expression, ancestry, pregnancy, or any other characteristic prohibited by law. Because the Union expects participants in its activities, events and meetings to respect one another and to recognize and value individual differences, it will not tolerate discriminatory, harassing, disrespectful or otherwise unacceptable behavior at any of its activities, events, or meetings. It adopts the following Code of Conduct, and expects those that participate in any of its activities, events, or meetings to abide by it.I
Definitions
Discrimination
It is discrimination to make any decision or judgments based on another person 's race, religion, color, sex, age, national origin, sexual orientation, disability, gender identity or expression, ancestry, pregnancy, or any other characteristic protected by law.
Harassment
Harassment consists of unwelcome verbal, visual, or physical conduct that is based on another person's race, religion, color, sex, age, national origin, sexual orientation, disability, gender identity or expression, ancestry, pregnancy, or any other characteristic protected by law. It may include, but is not limited to, actions such as use of epithets, slurs, negative stereotyping, jokes, or threatening, intimidating or hostile acts that relate to sex, race, age, disability, or other protected categories. Harassment may also include written or graphic material that denigrates or shows hostility toward an individual or group based on protected characteristics, whether that material is sent by email, placed on walls, bulletin boards, computer screens or other devices, or elsewhere on the premises of the activity, event, or meeting.
Sexual Harassment
Sexual harassment can involve unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal, visual, or physical conduct of a sexual nature. It can involve conduct by a person of any gender toward a person of any gender.
Disrespectful Behavior
Disrespectful behavior consists of verbal or physical conduct, unrelated to an individual 's protected characteristics, which demeans, belittles, disparages or degrades another person.
Unacceptable behavior includes, but is not limited to, the following:
- Aggressive, bullying, or intimidating behavior
- Harmful or offensive verbal or written comments or visual images related to race, religion, color, sex, age, national origin, sexual orientation, disability, gender identity or expression, ancestry, pregnancy, or any other characteristic protected by law
- Inappropriate use of nudity and/or sexual images in work or public spaces
- Deliberate intimidating, bullying, or stalking
In addition to this Code of Conduct, the Union has an Anti-discrimination and Anti-Harassment Policy and Complaint Procedure, which covers employees of the Union. This Code of Conduct is not intended to replace or amend that policy.
- Harassing photography or recording
- Sustained disruption of the activity, event, or meeting
- Unwelcome sexual attention or contact
- Physical assault (including unwelcome touching or groping)
- Real or implied threat of physical harm
Implementation and Response to Unacceptable Behavior
Prior to the start of any large Union meeting, attendees will be informed of the Code of Conduct and a Union staff person to whom complaints may be directed. If a Union meeting is reoccurring, notification of the Code of Conduct and identification of the designated staff person may occur yearly.
If you are subject to what you believe is unacceptable behavior under this Code of Conduct, or witness such behavior, please inform the designated staff person immediately. If that staff person is not available, you may inform any other staff person or leader, who will work with the designated staff person to respond to the complaint.
The Union takes these complaints seriously and, in its discretion may take any action deemed appropriate upon assessing the situation. Possible responses may include a warning to or expulsion of the alleged offender from Union activities, events, or meetings. Additionally, where appropriate, the Union may initiate disciplinary proceedings for those who may be subject to Union discipline. If needed or requested, Union staff will help complainants contact security or local law enforcement, provide escorts, or otherwise assist complainants who are experiencing unacceptable behavior to feel safe for the duration of the activity, event, or meeting.
Any complaint brought to the Union s attention will be treated confidentially to the extent possible to properly assess the situation. The Union will take all appropriate steps to ensure that the complainant is no longer subject to the unacceptable behavior.
The Union will not tolerate retaliation against any individual who complains of unacceptable behavior under this Code of Conduct. It will take every step necessary to ensure that retaliation does not occur, and if it believes that retaliation has occurred, the Union will take any action needed to stop the retaliation.
Because members of the union have the right to express viewpoints that are critical of the Union, its policies, and its officers and staff, this Code of Conduct will only be enforced in a manner that is consistent with members' free speech rights under the LMRDA.
