Carpenters’ Local 27 has reportedly requested and received
the resignation of one of its members in response to a noose being hung at a Crosslinx
Transit Solutions (CTS) worksite for a Metrolinx project. The noose was
allegedly placed with the intent of threatening and intimidating black tradesmen
working at the construction site.
The Carpenters’ statement read, “After a review of the
events that took place, severing this individual’s connection and membership
was the appropriate action; Local 27 denounces these acts in the strongest
terms, and supports our industry employer colleagues in their swift removal of
the individual. Behaviour that makes anyone feel unsafe on construction
worksites will not be tolerated, and accountability rests on everyone in the
industry to create safe and respectful workplaces.”
Ontario’s Minister of Transportation Caroline Mulroney previously reported on Twitter,“This is disgusting and unacceptable. I have spoken to the CEO @Metrolinx and the @TorontoPolice hate crime unit was called to investigate.” A Toronto Police Services spokesperson confirmed that a noose was found and that an investigation was underway.
For 140 years, the Carpenters Union has been a well-known
haven for unchecked racism, and a hornet’s nest for bigoted white & Hispanic
construction workers, according to many black union carpenters who have been
victimized by fellow members.
This racially charged anti-black attack was the fourth
reported incident of a noose being found at a Toronto construction site since
the beginning of June 2020.