New Orleans AFSCME Workers Demand Justice Amid Supervisor Abuse

In a striking revelation of workplace dynamics, Vashon Watson, a city employee from New Orleans, experienced a significant breach of protocol when his grievance was literally shredded by a supervisor. Watson, who is part of AFSCME Local 2349, highlighted this incident as part of a broader pattern of mistreatment faced by city workers.

Captured on video, this act of dismissal represented just one of many grievances voiced by AFSCME members during a recent New Orleans City Council meeting. Workers spoke candidly about verbal abuse, job misclassification, and wage theft, issues that have persisted despite previous reports.

Watson's testimony was particularly poignant, describing the environment as akin to being treated "like if we were slaves or in a jail." His concerns have been longstanding, especially regarding inadequate training for new hires, which he reports has been ongoing despite the establishment of an AFSCME collective bargaining agreement in 2023.

The city's reluctance to negotiate a formal contract with AFSCME has been a sticking point. However, the courage demonstrated by Watson and his peers, along with video evidence of the abuse, prompted the City Council to reinforce AFSCME's role as the representative body for city workers through a new ordinance.

As negotiations finally commence with AFSCME's Council 17, there is increasing pressure on Mayor LaToya Cantrell to engage constructively. The hope among AFSCME members is to secure a binding contract that addresses and rectifies the documented workplace violations.