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 rally, state Rep. Karen Whitsett (D-Detroit) issued the following statement:
“Decades after the Civil Rights movement, the fight for racial equity continues. I fully support the United Six for speaking out about the horrific treatment they witnessed and experienced. I will continue to fight to protect Michigan’s workers and end discrimination in the workplace. No worker should ever have to endure what the United Six have faced.”