An online roundtable by the U.S. Department of Labor raised awareness of sexual assault and harassment in the trucking industry, with discussions around how stakeholders can ensure safe, inclusive work environments.
Wendy Chun-Hoon, director of the department’s Women’s Bureau, was joined by Rep. Eleanor Holmes Norton, and representatives from the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, the U.S. Department of Transportation, Teamsters Local 710, S.H.E Trucking, Grand Island Express and Futures Without Violence, according to an April 28 news release.
“People employed in the trucking industry – especially women – are entitled to feel safe in their workplace,” Secretary of Labor Marty Walsh said, according to the release.
The departments of Labor and Transportation organized the event in connection with the Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month, the release reported. It delivers on the Biden-Harris administration’s call for a national Day of Action to advocate for the prevention of sexual assault and harassment in the trucking industry.
Chun-Hoon said the Day of Action takes a step to bring industry stakeholders together to denounce sexual violence and harassment by making meaningful changes. She expressed hope this inspires similar actions in other historically male-dominated jobs and industries.
“For too long, widespread – and often unchecked – incidents of sexual assault, violence and harassment in the trucking industry have damaged lives, destroyed careers and steered women away from pursuing trucking jobs,” Chun-Hoon said, the release reported.
This event aligns with the Biden-Harris administration’s Trucking Action Plan to improve training and safety standards, according to the release. It includes recruiting and training drivers from underrepresented communities.
“Our economy depends on a healthy supply chain supported by a strong trucking industry with motivated workers who should never fear for their personal safety at work,” Walsh said in the report.
