LANSING, Mich., Feb. 17, 2022 — Today, members of the Michigan House Democratic Caucus joined a coalition of labor voices in downtown Lansing in support of the United Six — a group of electricians formerly employed by United Electric Contractors. In a lawsuit filed last month, the group alleges that UEC maintained a retaliatory and hostile work environment where racial slurs and discrimination against Black and brown workers were commonplace. They held the demonstration in front of the Associated Builders and Contractors of Michigan’s Lansing office — the trade association affiliated with UEC. In support of the United Six and the protests, state Rep. Cynthia A. Johnson (D-Detroit) issued the following statement:
“While I am disgusted by the racism and abuse the United Six experienced while simply doing their jobs, I am not surprised. The unequal treatment of Black people throughout our society is no secret to people of my skin color, but it must be addressed. I support the United Six in their fight against this behavior and will do everything in my power to ensure more just and equitable treatment for labor workers.”