Maalik, Safiyyah v. Int'l Union Elev 2

**Union Failed to Stop Workplace Discrimination Against Apprentice** Safiyyah Maalik, an apprentice in the International Union of Elevator Constructors Local 2 training program, faced race and sex discrimination from master mechanics who were supposed to train her on the job. When Maalik complained about this treatment, the union failed to take action to address the discrimination she was experiencing during her apprenticeship. The Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals ruled in Maalik's favor, finding that the union violated federal civil rights law by not addressing the discrimination in its training program. The court reversed a lower court's decision to dismiss the case and sent it back to determine what remedy Maalik should receive. **Why This Matters for Workers:** This decision is important because it holds unions accountable for discrimination in their training programs. Workers have the right to apprenticeship and job training free from racial and gender discrimination. If you're in a union training program and face discrimination, both your employer and your union have a legal duty to address it. Unions cannot simply ignore complaints about discriminatory treatment during apprenticeships—they must take steps to stop it or face legal consequences.