A group of African American employees are suing a Trenton company claiming racial and ethnic intimidation, according to an affidavit sent to NBC10.
The affidavit states that a noose was placed in the locker room at Siemens Demag Delaval Turbomachinery in Trenton, N.J. The noose, it says, was found by an African-American employee hanging from a curtain rod.
The affidavit also states that this is not the first discriminatory act within the company, claiming that a supervisor once threatened one employee that he would get caught in “friendly fire” if he ever complained of racial discrimination in the workplace. In another incident, that same employee says he was stabbed in the leg with a shank that was rigged to slice the employee in an area where only he works.
The lawsuit explains that they three men feel that the noose signifies a threat – keep your mouth shut, or there will be consequences.
They say they are fearful for their safety.
Siemens Energy Inc. released the following statement to NBC10:
The placement of a noose in a Siemens facility is a deplorable, aggressive act.
Siemens condemns such behavior in the strongest terms. When learning of this
incident, the company promptly notified law enforcement and commenced an
internal investigation by a corporate security team that included members with
30+ years of experience with the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The company is
actively cooperating with law enforcement agencies.
After learning of this event, the plant manager of the facility, along with his
management team, met with employees to condemn the act, alleviate any
concerns employees might have, make clear such actions would not be tolerated,
and provide assurances that the company would do everything it could to identify
the perpetrator. The plant manager also implored employees to come forward
and provide any information that could assist the company in its investigation. In
addition, the company promptly provided retraining on the companies’ antidiscrimination and anti-harassment policies for all management and nonmanagement personnel.
It also attached the companies’ anti-harassment policy
and compliance hotline number to all paychecks in the next pay period.
As part of its investigation, the company interviewed numerous employees,
reviewed surveillance video of the closest entrance to the area, internet and
email usage of appropriate personnel, as well as badge access records of the area.
We could not find any evidence of how the noose got there. During and at the
conclusion of the investigation, company officials met with the employee who
found the noose, and he has been informed of the results of our investigation.
