Black workers can now sue Tesla over racism in its factories

A California judge has ruled in favor of Black Tesla workers and plans to sue the electrical automotive company for racism in its factories.

While the Alameda County Superior Court’s ruling is preliminary, black workers at Tesla factories could begin legal proceedings. According to , disgruntled employees plan to sue based on claims that the corporate run by Elon Musk did not protect them from racism in the workplace.

Judge Noel Wise said workers at Tesla’s Fremont factory must be allowed to pursue a legal option. Their widespread concern about Tesla’s mishandling of discrimination has led to a hot-button issue, first raised in 2017 by a Tesla worker. Marcus Vaughn, a former worker named in court documents, sued the corporate for making the production floor a “breeding ground for racist behavior.”

Regarding the present ruling, Vaughn’s lawyer, Lawrence Organ, said the support amongst employees showed how serious the case was.

“I think the numerous complaints over time show how Tesla has failed to prevent racial harassment of its Black employees.” he wrote Authority in an email to .

In the initial response to Vaughn’s claims, Tesla released statement titled “Hubbed of disinformation.” The company not only denied any wrongdoing, but in addition revealed the way it fired three employees who engaged in the racist motion. The statement also disputed Vaughn’s claims, emphasizing that he was a contract worker.

“Marcus was not dismissed, he had a six-month interim contract which simply ended as agreed,” the corporate said on its official website. “His email to Elon was about Tesla commuting and transfers. It was addressed as he requested. There was no mention of racial discrimination.”

However, a recent court decision put Tesla back in the hotbed, and Judge Wise expected to separate the potential trial into two parts. The first could be a jury trial, and in the second phase, plaintiffs could seek damages, but provided that a jury finds Tesla guilty of such negligence.

Tesla also faces a growing variety of racist legal cases, including before the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and the California Civil Rights Agency.