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Despite Efforts To Diversify Workforce, Road Construction Can Be A Hostile Workplace

ODOT

Despite efforts to diversify the highway construction workforce in Oregon, a new study finds that many women of color face harassment and discrimination in road-work.

The Portland State University studywas commissioned by the Oregon Department of Transportation and the Bureau of Labor and Industries. Labor Commissioner Brad Avakian says the state has been working to improve diversity through apprenticeships in road construction. He says more women of color are in training programs because of a supportive services program that helps with transportation, child care and other costs.
Brad Avakian: “At the same time, we know that between 60 and 70 percent of women are still facing discrimination and harassment on the job site and this is an area that we must focus on and alleviate.”
Avakian says discrimination is unacceptable in any workplace. He says as the aging road construction workforce retires, there will be more employment opportunities in the near future.
 

Rachael McDonald is KLCC’s host for All Things Considered on weekday afternoons. She also is the editor of the KLCC Extra, the daily digital newspaper. Rachael has a BA in English from the University of Oregon. She started out in public radio as a newsroom volunteer at KLCC in 2000.