Date: Thu, 21 Nov 1996 12:24:57 -0500 From: Claude DiDomenica Subject: Open Letter to Chrysler CEO Robert Eaton Hello, Below is an open letter to Chrysler CEO Robert Eaton in regards to the "Campaign For Equal Rights At Chrysler." I have been asked by Ron G. Woods of the campaign to contact Mr. Eaton. After my letter is a variety of information in case you are not familiar with this issue. ---------------- Mr. Robert Eaton, CEO Chrysler Corporation 800 Chrysler Drive Auburn Hills, MI 48371 November 21, 1996 Dear Mr. Eaton, I am contacting you in regards to the "Campaign For Equal Rights At Chrysler." I want to urge you and Chrysler to make sure ALL your employees are FULLY protected from discrimination by providing increased sensitivity/diversity training and including the words "sexual orientation" to the contract with the United Auto Workers (UAW). I do commend you on taking the first step as outlined in your November 11, 1996 letter to your employees. However, as I said, this is only the first step. Please follow through and "do the right thing." In our last Congress, the ENDA (Employment Non-Discrimination Act) was narrowly defeated. It is now up to corporate America and all people to end the vicious cycle of prejudice against gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered (GLBT) people. No matter what our beliefs, we all share a responsibility for increased hate crimes against GLBT people, an alarmingly high rate of GLBT teen suicide and an overall climate of intolerance and hatred. I own one of your automobiles. Currently, I will not consider purchasing a new vehicle from Chrysler, until you comply with what I see as a most reasonable demand. I am the president of Children's Animated Television (CAT). CAT produces educational videos for children and teens on difficult social issues such as AIDS, diversity and violence. We are a non-profit organization that believes in a brighter future for ALL children, GLBT included and loved. I have often said "tolerance is the cover story for INtolerance." People many times say "I tolerate homosexuals as long as they don't flaunt themselves" and other such nonsense. If only the people saying this would put themselves in the shoes of the GLBT teenager facing humiliation and high risk of substance abuse, homelessness, suicide as well as physical/mental/sexual abuse by even their OWN FAMILIES and SCHOOLS. To me, (and to other concerned humans) this is UNACCEPTABLE in our "bastion of freedom and flag waving 'democracy.'" Thomas Jefferson and the founding fathers would demand that we bring the entire human family into our arms as we approach the new millennium. You see, your actions have a profound impact on the lives of not only your employees, but your (our) children and grandchildren. Whatever dark forces prevent you from FULLY protecting your GLBT employees must be cast aside for a variety of reasons. Spiritually, there is a huge price for bigotry. Financially, there is a high price, as well. How much money and people-power has your refusal to concede on this issue cost your stock holders? (I should mention it angers me to have to take an hour of my time to educate you!) What about the lost sales and picketing at your dealerships? Surely this must be lighting a blaze under your corporate buttocks. I see a potential TEXACO brewing here... When my partner, Bessie Hadley and I started CAT five years ago, we brought to our cause a philosophy that between the two of us has taken a lifetime to conceive. Recently I put it to words: "Rest no more will I 'till no person walks in fear." Well, GLBT people walk in fear. Black and white people walk in fear. We ALL walk in fear because of the climate of hatred WE have created and continue to ACCEPT. We are ALL prejudice and must ascend to an enlightened state if we wish to survive as a species. Any day now, a terrorist group will acquire weapons of mass destruction. As a species, we seem to have a fundamental problem with diversity that leads to unnecessary violence. You see, your inability to protect your employees has an impact beyond your factory walls. Every thought and action (or inaction) impacts the future of our planet. I am trying to get you to see the "big picture." I often ask myself, "What is this obsession with whom people chose to love???" "Why do people worry about who others care for or sleep with???" My theory is that there are people in our society such as Pat Robertson that have targeted GLBT people to divide us and increase their power base. Shame on him, as I hold him responsible for the murder and suicide of GLBT people. I really do wish, I need not place this "curse of shame" on you and Chrysler. Please consider your actions carefully and FULLY embrace and protect your GLBT employees. Sincerely, Claude DiDomenica President Children's Animated Television Box 509 Needham, MA 02192 617-440-0011 fax 617-440-9183 claude@qcfurball.com www.qcfurball.com/cat/ "Equality is a fundamental human right" :) ---------------- In a message dated 96-11-20 23:05:05 EST, Ron G. Woods wrote: > > >Greetings all, > > On November 11, 1996, Chrysler CEO Robert Eaton signed a letter >which for the first time mentioned "sexual orientation". The letter, and >Diversity statement referenced in the letter are below. The formal >announcement was made on November 13, 1996. The day before the November 14, >1996 National Day of Picketing at Chrysler Dealerships Worldwide, called by >the "Campaign for Equal Rights At Chrysler". Within days Ford and GM >reportedly followed suit. Rather than rejoice in this obvious >good news, we of the "Campaign for Equal Rights At Chrysler" call upon >everyone to help us move forward to achieve the full results possible. > We call upon everyone to help us exert further pressure to make a >TRUE and SUBSTANTIAL change, with Diversity Training and the addition of the >words "sexual orientation" to the contract with the United Auto Workers >(UAW). This may be achieved in the form of a "Memorandum of Understanding" >between Chrysler and the UAW. The Diversity Training must be given to all >managers and supervisors. > This is the most opportune time for the gay, lesbian, bisexual >and transgender community and allies to pull together to bring this about. >Please help >us achieve this by doing the following: > > 1) Write CEO Robert Eaton and demand that they have >mandatory Diversity Training for all managers/supervisors (sample letters >available upon request). Also that they include the words "sexual >orientation" in the contract with the UAW in the form of a "Memorandum of >Understanding". The address to write to Robert Eaton is below. All members >of the Chrysler Board of Directors may be reached at the same address. Also >below is a list of the names of the Directors. > > 800 Chrysler Drive > Auburn Hills, MI 48371 > > Vice Chairman Thomas G. Denomme > President Robert A. Lutz > Vice President William J. O'brien > Director Robert E. Allen > Director Lilyan H. Affinito > Director Joseph E. Antonini > Director Joseph A. Califano Jr. > Director Earl G. Gray > Director Kent Kresa > Director Robert J. Lanigan > Director Peter A. Magowan > Director Malcolm T. Stamper > Director Lynton R. Wilson > > > 2) Call Diversity Department Director Monica Emerson at >810-512-2160 > > 3) Call the Chrysler Customer Relations Center at >800-992-1997 > > 4) Set up "informational pickets" /protests at a dealership >near you. > > 5) Call/visit as many Chrysler/Plymouth/Jeep/Eagle/Dodge >dealerships > as you can and ask them to write a letter to the >Corporation in support of the changes we request. > > Thank you all for your support. I may be reached as always at: > > 810-545-7699 > >Sincerely, >Ron G. Woods >Campaign For Equal Rights At Chrysler- >Chairperson LETTER AND >STATEMENT BELOW > > > > >Chairman of the Board November 11, 1996 > >Chief Executive Officer > > >To: ALL CHRYSLER EMPLOYEES > >Early this year, I signed and communicated a Corporate Diversity >Statement(copy attached) in which I stated that out individual and collective >behavior must value >diversity and reject both active and passive discrimination. > >Chrysler has a long standing history of commitment to fairness and >non-discrimation. >This philosophy is reiterated in our Code of Ethical Behavior, our Standards >of Conduct, our Corporate Policy 3-1 on Employment and Placement, and in our >Union Agreements. > >The Corporate Diversity Statement, as well as these other documents, applies >to each and every employee of Chrysler Corporation. > >Recently, you may have read newspaper reports that discussed Chrysler's >non-discrimation policy, specifically in reference to sexual orientation. >Let me clearly state that Chrysler does not tolerate harassment or >discrimination of any employee on any basis, including sexual orientation. > >Consistent with our current policy, any employee who is found to have >harassed or discriminated against any other employee for any reason will be >disciplined. > >As conveyed in our Diversity Statement, if we are to become the premier car >and truck company in the world, we must fully value the unique >characteristics and abilities of every employee. As a company, we will only >realize the full competitive advantages of diversity when we adopt an >attitude of unconditional inclusion. > > > >BOB > >Attachment > >______________________________________________________________________ > > ROBERT J. EATON > > Diversity Statement >May 20, 1996 > >Chrysler has a long-standing commitment to fairness and equal opportunity in >hiring, development and business operations. Our equal employment practices >have been key in bringing us to the level of workforce diversity that >benefits us today. We have also contributed to ecomonic equity among our >suppliers, dealers, customers and communities. > >Our workforce is becoming more representative of the diverse populations we >serve, and we are committed to building on this progress. The scope of our >efforts must extend beyond race, gender and affirmative action goals. We are >equally committed to making full use of the wealth of backgrounds, thought >and opinion that a diverse environment offers. > >In this respect, I have two goals. One is to assure that Chrysler's >workforce is reflective of the global communities we serve. At the same >time, I am determined >to lead Chrysler toward a culture that uses diversity to its competitive >advantage. > >These goals can be achieved only in an environment that fully values andd >applies the unique characteristics and abilities of every employee. The best >decisions result when all perspectives are considered. On the road to >becoming the premier car and truck company, we must listen to every voice and >tap all of our talent. > >Each Chrysler employee shares a responsibility for meeting these goals. Our >individual and collective behavior must value diversity and reject both >active and passive discrimination. > >The full benefits of diversity will come only when we adopt an attitude of >inclusion. >We must welcome every individual as a respected member of the team who >contributions are critical to the success of our organization. > > BOB >EATON > ____ ___ _____ / ___| / _ \ |_ _| _ Children's Animated Television (CAT) | | | |_| | | | _| |_ a non-profit organization | |___ | _ | | | |_ _| http://www.qcfurball.com/cat/ \____||_| |_| |_| |_| cat@qcfurball.com __ _ _ _ __ _ ___ / _| _ _ _ __ | |__ __ _ | || | Quaichang / _` | / __|| |_ | | | || '__|| '_ \ / _` || || | Furball's | (_| || (__ | _|| |_| || | | |_) || (_| || || | Find-it Easy \__, | \___||_| \__,_||_| |_.__/ \__,_||_||_| |_| http://www.qcfurball.com * furball@qcfurball.com