Gender Bias in the Construction Trades: The Story of Lineworker Jenna Smith

Update: On October 15, 2010, Jenna Smith was granted her journey card. Watch the video:
http://www.youtube.com/user/tradeswomen#p/u/0/6-o0fRkpFbo

Learn more here:
http://supportjenna.wordpress.com/a-summary-of-jenna-smith's-experience-a...

Watch the next video to see tradeswomen talking to the council about the experience of tradeswomen in the industry:

http://www.youtube.com/user/tradeswomen#p/u/1/TxIRXj0L8Bk

In December 2009, Apprentice Lineworker Jenna Smith filed a complaint against the Eugene/Springfield JATC that oversees her apprenticeship in Oregon. She filed the complaint with the Oregon Apprenticeship and Training Division of the Bureau of Labor and Industries (BOLI) asking them to overturn her local JATC's decision to keep her from completing her apprenticeship and becoming a Journey-Level Lineworker. The video features excerpts from her public testimony at the hearing for her complaint.

Videography by Dawn Jones for Oregon Tradeswomen. www.tradeswomen.net

Category:

Nonprofits & Activism

Tags:

• EWEB
• Eugene
• sexual harassment
• oregon tradeswomen
• lineman
• women in trades
• jenna smith
• connie ashbrook
• dawn jones

[RedVinesify]

Jenna's not the only one who knows that she is ready for her card. Several of her co-workers, union members and instructors are supporting her as well. It's time for EWEB to step up and move into the 21st century, beyond the sexist environment that they provide and accept for the employees. Best of luck Jenna -- there are so many of us standing behind you!

[MissDobie1]

Fortunately, the two people, (count 'em TWO) kicking up a bunch a bull here, are not the deciders. And they are no match for the growing supporters who stand behind Jenna (including co-workers who vouch for how capable she is on the job). It's up to the State App. Council now to do the right thing. Either way, EWEB and the JATC are already playing catch up for the mistakes they made. I hope they take the lesson and change the outdated culture of their program--for everyone's sake.

[Reb662]

I got seperated from my trade.... Wrongfully, hostile work environment... One foreman got in my face a few times.. Called me a baglady.... He and they think .. Im dropping this.... Not ever.. if Im within my statue of limitations.. I need help.. Anyone that can advise me.. Please contact me... ASAP... I was almost a journeyman myself.. To go and they vote to kick me out. and the ones supp helping us.. They cover and make up things up..

[townsendpromotions]

To: rivereed: You obviously have your head up your ass! I have been in the union since 1987 and have never had any troubles with my co-workers. If women didn't go out to these jobs with a chip on there shoulder most of them would have no problems with co workers. The ones that can do there job as good as the rest of the crew excel in the Union.

[rivereed]

This is very common in the trades. There is no such thing as EEOC within Union organizations. The Business Agents for the Unions brush you under the carpet. The so-called "human relations" departments for companies do all they can to quiet women to keep them from filing a union grievance. Soon you find you are not being called out for work. Retaliation by male co-workers for complaints is over-whelming. We are still in the dark ages. I wouldn't recommend a young woman to enter the trades.

[ksgrown]

To @allen2603:

I'm shocked that you are so calm about the "very common practice" of hazing. The national news is full of the sad state of affairs caused by effects of non-stop hazing by bullies. Gross negligence by educational/apprentice organizations tolerating hazing is shameful. Bystanders' lack of action to stop hazing are equally guilty. Sexual assult, retaliation & denial of progression to Journey-level are not common for males - Jenna's treatment was horrific - change is needed fast!

[allen2603]

She was being hazed. A very common practice in years gone by done to many apprentices regardless of gender, race, religion or sexual orientation. Ones who endured this do it to others. This is changing but slowly.

[ashadog]

The story is intricate but the fundamental reality is obvious: Jenna experienced significant discrimination and abuse during her apprenticeship. She passed her tests and was denied journey-level status by the same people who allowed the hostile work environment. She deserves resolution through a neutral-party council. Support for Jenna is growing but we need more people to advocate for themselves and those who will follow by telling their own stories of discrimination. I know Jenna's not alone.

[jennifere72]

One more thing bradandkayma: Sure you pull the gender card 4 1/2 years later...when you don't get what you want, when you want it! And if you're so informed, can you honestly tell me that Jenna has NEVER gotten held back any other time in her apprenticeship and that ALL of her reports were good? Probably not... "what's up with THAT?"

[ksgrown]

To ORDuckU21 re: "to get hit with a rigging chain" - The chain didn't hit her accidently. Her co-worker swung it and hit her across the legs like the mofia does to break the legs of someone they are pressuring. It was intentional and followed by a mean, sarcastic comment. Where I come from that's called assult and is followed by a call to the police. Where were the union brothers at this moment? Where was her crew? - not watch'en her back like they should have been, I guess.

[PlumberWalkinTheWalk]

@ORDuckU21 Your words..."It is disgraceful that this video ...has made the entire line department look like nothing more than a pack of wolfs" ---first of all I won't disparage wolves in that way. What made the line department look like a bunch of spineless dirt bags are the insecure men who feel threatened by a competent woman and the other spineless co-workers who watched and knew the treatment was wrong and did nothing..!!