Latino Workers Sue City Over Alleged English-Only Policy
By: Deanna King
Updated: May 17, 2011
Eight Latino city workers are suing the City of Rochester over what they claim is an "English-only" speaking rule. The employees say they were told they cannot speak Spanish at work.
"It was disappointing, of course," said Eddie Cruz. "It was hurtful." Cruz has worked for the city for ten years, but says over the past few months he has been harassed for speaking Spanish on the job. "Now, we are kind of backed in a corner. We got to watch what we say and it just doesn't feel good," said Cruz. The workers are employees in the public works department. Seven men and one woman are listed on the suit claiming they were harassed on several different occasions.
"Although the policy is not written it's being enforced by the highest level of management," said attorney, Christina Agola. "There is no legitimate reason for telling people not to speak their native tongue." Agola is representing the city workers. "The fact that it offends you, that they're speaking Spanish, is not a legitimate reason."
City officials say there is no such policy. City officials released this statement, "Outside of direct supervisor to employee work discussion, employees can and do speak whatever languages they want with each other. This seems to have sprang from a misunderstanding between a supervisor and an employee(s)," said Gary Walker, Director of Communications, City of Rochester.
Cruz says they filed a complaint with management, but nothing was done. "It's becoming kind of hostile," said Cruz. "The rest of the employees think that the whole thing is a joke."
"It was disappointing, of course," said Eddie Cruz. "It was hurtful." Cruz has worked for the city for ten years, but says over the past few months he has been harassed for speaking Spanish on the job. "Now, we are kind of backed in a corner. We got to watch what we say and it just doesn't feel good," said Cruz. The workers are employees in the public works department. Seven men and one woman are listed on the suit claiming they were harassed on several different occasions.
"Although the policy is not written it's being enforced by the highest level of management," said attorney, Christina Agola. "There is no legitimate reason for telling people not to speak their native tongue." Agola is representing the city workers. "The fact that it offends you, that they're speaking Spanish, is not a legitimate reason."
City officials say there is no such policy. City officials released this statement, "Outside of direct supervisor to employee work discussion, employees can and do speak whatever languages they want with each other. This seems to have sprang from a misunderstanding between a supervisor and an employee(s)," said Gary Walker, Director of Communications, City of Rochester.
Cruz says they filed a complaint with management, but nothing was done. "It's becoming kind of hostile," said Cruz. "The rest of the employees think that the whole thing is a joke."
Comments
Wow the same thing happened to me i was actually fired for talking spanish in my job back in 2005 and i am going to trial soon for it my case has been going on for 7 years even after the supervisor admitted what he did to me and said he was acting on behalf of the company when he did what he did to me. i went to christina agola for help she told me i wasnt entitled to anything and that being fired for talking spanish wasnt tht big of a deal and i wouldnt get any kind of settlement so i FIRED HER hope thoose guys have better luck with her than i did..Oh yeah and the supervior who fired me for speaking spanish also jerked my overtime deducted hours from me so that it wouldnt look like i worked the hours i did. But Underberg & Kessler defends him and the company saying he was right for firing me for speaking spanish. I also have probable cause and a right to sue letter wow no justice!!!
Anonymous A.
May 25, 2011 at 7:18 pm
Grammar teacher, are you playing "grammar games" by criticising my spelling? You're missing the point which I have asked for an answer now and nobody seems to have an answer, but just throws more "games" back.
The question is:
From an employer's standpoint, what do you do with employees that cannot read/write English or even use a computer? As an employer, you try to embrace diversity, but you should not have to provide a baby sitting service to those who cannot understand or write English. It is rude to sit in a department where others speak another language while you are in their presence. What is there to hide?
If you don't want to answer the question, then don't bother posting the other garbage.
The question is:
From an employer's standpoint, what do you do with employees that cannot read/write English or even use a computer? As an employer, you try to embrace diversity, but you should not have to provide a baby sitting service to those who cannot understand or write English. It is rude to sit in a department where others speak another language while you are in their presence. What is there to hide?
If you don't want to answer the question, then don't bother posting the other garbage.
Anonymous A.
May 19, 2011 at 9:05 pm
"English is the official language of the US the last time I checked." Incorrect verb tense, should be: "English WAS the official language... last time I checked"
"melting post" Incorrect, should be: "melting POT"
"in a country that English is the official language." Incorrect relative clause, should be: "in a country WHERE English is the official language," or, "a country IN WHICH English..."
"What language was the Constitution-The Law of the Land written in?" Incorrect punctuation and capitalization, should be: "the Constitution - the law of the land - written"
Also, do not end a sentence with a preposition, should be: "In what language was the Constitution..."
There are more, but I cannot fit them all here. Dont feel bad, English can be a difficult language.
"melting post" Incorrect, should be: "melting POT"
"in a country that English is the official language." Incorrect relative clause, should be: "in a country WHERE English is the official language," or, "a country IN WHICH English..."
"What language was the Constitution-The Law of the Land written in?" Incorrect punctuation and capitalization, should be: "the Constitution - the law of the land - written"
Also, do not end a sentence with a preposition, should be: "In what language was the Constitution..."
There are more, but I cannot fit them all here. Dont feel bad, English can be a difficult language.
Anonymous A.
May 19, 2011 at 4:53 pm
What language was the Constitution-The Law of the Land written in? Also, you can call me names, but what about the second part of my post? From an employers standpoing, what do you do with employees that cannot read/write English or even use a computer? As an employer, you try to embrace diversity, but you should not have to provide a baby sitting service to those who cannot understand or write English. It is rude to sit in a department where others speak another language while you are in their presence. What is there to hide?
Anonymous A.
May 18, 2011 at 4:46 pm
In actuality the United States does not have an "official language".
Anonymous A.
May 17, 2011 at 11:12 pm
@Proud American Youre an idiot. The United States doesn't have an official language.
Anonymous A.
May 17, 2011 at 11:01 pm
The Director of Communications does not know how to properly conjucate the verb "spring." So much for English, right?
Anonymous A.
May 17, 2011 at 10:33 pm
English is the official language of the US the last time I checked. I worked at a factory in Rochester and had to listen to Laotian (the language of Laos) all day. The Laotian workers were offended if you asked them to speak English as it's rude if you're the only one that is there that speaks English. Some could not understand how to do their jobs because their English skills were not up to par to read and understand directions or use a computer. Furthermore, some of their children that were born here are in E.S.L. (English as a second language) classes because that's all their parents speak. I am not singling out the Laotian community, nor mocking anyone that comes here from foreign lands, but remember that we're a melting post of all religions, backgrounds, etc. in a country that English is the official language.
Anonymous A.
May 17, 2011 at 6:38 pm
