NATIONAL COUNCIL OF EEOC L0CALS No 216, AFGE, AFL-CIO

Office of the President

c/o Denver District Office, EEOC

303 East 17th Avenue, Suite 510, Denver, Colorado 80203

Tele: (303) 866-1337

Fax: (303) 966-1900

 

PRESS RELEASE

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                Contact:          Gabrielle Martin

June 23, 2005                                                                                  (303) 725-9079

                                                                                                            Rachel Shonfield

                                                                                                            (305) 496-7939

 

EEOC HUMORS THE PUBLIC WITH A FORUM,

BUT STILL REFUSES TO CHANGE PLAN TO DISMANTLE THE AGENCY

 

On Thursday June 23, 2005 EEOC will go through the motions of listening to the public’s concerns regarding its plans to dismantle the agency by downgrading offices and reducing staffing.  However, agency officials previously stated that the EEOC’s dismantling plan is “final,” saying that it would not change before it receives a vote from the commission.  According to Gabrielle Martin, President of the National Council of EEOC Locals, No. 216, AFGE/AFL-CIO, “It is an insult to the civil rights community for EEOC to march them in here at the last minute, for a half day dog and pony show, but not be willing to modify their plan based on the comments received. “

 

According to the National Council, public comments thus far have been critical of the agency restructuring plan because:

·        The plan adds layers but not people;

·        The plan downgrades offices;

·        The plan takes away local jurisdiction from offices;

·        The plan does not address an exploding backlog of cases;

·        The plan does not address decreasing enforcement of racial discrimination cases

·        The plan’s cost savings comes from reducing staff and cutting back on office space, thus diminishing access to victims of discrimination.

·        The plan is being rushed through before a bipartisan commissioned GAO report on EEOC restructuring can be completed.

Nevertheless, Martin says, “the Commission refuses to change its plan to deal       with these nagging problems.” 

 

EEOC has scrambled to save face since abruptly canceling a shotgun vote on its reorganization plan, originally scheduled for May 16, 2005.  “EEOC tried to put the cart before the horse,” Martin says.  “EEOC has no credibility pretending now to listen to the public, when it tried to vote without public comment.  EEOC has no intention of changing its plans one iota based on what it hears Thursday.”