I was appalled, but not surprised, by David Kroman’s article “Seattle City Light investigation: Group worked drunk, sexually harassed co-workers” (April 10, Local News). As a pioneer tradeswoman at City Light in the 1974 Electrical Trades Trainee program, I can verify that these problems have existed for at least 40 years. While many of my union brothers were supportive (and sober), this ugly undertow undermined progress then and now.
Both management and our union, the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 77, need to take more leadership to change the situation. It’s important both to support the women, men of color, LGBTQ folks and others who get bullied; and to help the problematic, addicted men.
We who were fighting for change always said that the leadership was responsible. If they took these problems seriously and insisted on ending harassment — and substance use — they could. If the men, and their bosses, knew that their careers were really on the line, that would be the end of it.
Granted, this is all harder now with President Donald Trump in the White House trying to make bigotry great again, but it can be done. Let’s not scapegoat anybody. Let’s bring an end to harassment and on-the-job drinking!
Megan Cornish, Seattle
