ST. LOUIS — The St. Louis City Branch of the NAACP is reporting a rash of nooses found in the workplace.
The chapter's president, Adolphus Pruitt, said workers in the St. Louis region are leaving their jobs after intimidation and discrimination in both St. Louis and St. Louis County.
In his 14 years as chapter president, Pruitt said he's never seen this many cases. It's a trend he never wants to see.
He claimed there's been an incident involving a noose every month so far this year. Before that, he only recalls one or two cases ever happening.
Pruitt believes federal laws could be getting violated.
In a display of four different pictures, Pruitt describes accusations at four different companies and organizations.
Two private companies, along with Missouri Central Bus Company and the St. Louis City Refuse Department, were named.
Here is a timeline Pruitt provided:
- 1/26/24 - A Black contractor was contracted to clean a building at a St. Louis County marketing agency. The contractor said he went in and saw a stuffed gorilla. He claims the next day, he went back to clean the office and the gorilla was wearing a noose. He said he took pictures and his contract was canceled. They said no one was held accountable after an investigation was conducted.
- 2/28/24 - In February, a mechanic at the Missouri Central Bus Company, Amin Mitchell, told 5 On Your Side that he found a noose at his work bay and has been singled out on multiple occasions. He said he is one of two Black mechanics at the company. The company created an investigation with a third party. Pruitt said the latest update he heard from internal sources was that an individual was forced into retirement and another was terminated.
- 4/25/24 - A Black female city employee in the St. Louis City's Refuse Department reported an issue with her white supervisor and other personnel. Pruitt said rumors started to go around that she was having sexual relations with her supervisor. Her husband is also a city employee. She wanted to squash rumors and approached her supervisor, who she claimed then made an inappropriate comment about his genitals in response. She reported his comment, and he argued he didn’t say anything wrong. The employee said nothing more happened. Later, she had trouble with her car and turned it in for maintenance. When she picked it up, there was a drawn photo of a woman in a dress with a noose around her neck. Pruitt said there are 11 instances of discrimination and derogatory language in this department from white supervisors and others. Pruitt said in most cases they’ll get sensitivity training or transferred to other departments.
- 5/08/24 - At a south St. Louis milling company, two Black new hires came across a noose at the job. They reported it and they claim another supervisor said, 'Oh, wow they’re back at it again." One immediately quit and another eventually left the job after seeing a lack of action.
Pruitt said the March incident isn't included because they don't have a picture.
"We have to get a point of across that this sort of behavior won't be tolerated," he added.
Just a few hours after the news conference, St. Louis' refuse director, Betherny Williams, said no formal complaint has been made.
"We will investigate any claims brought to us, we're working closely with personnel," Williams added.
Williams explained the department takes the claim seriously.
5 On Your Side asked if there had been comments made from white supervisors to a Black employee involving a sexual or inappropriate conversation.
"We’ve had reports of it before and personnel has taken the action to do investigations and I'm not a liberty to talk about the outcomes, but as they come, we are investigating," Williams added.
Two weeks ago, 15 drivers with the City of St. Louis' Refuse Division called in sick on May 21 and didn't work their scheduled shifts. This comes after 18 drivers called in that Monday, citing medical reasons.
Our newsroom learned that the refuse workers have reported workplace concerns.
Williams explained their department has met with union representatives and employees to help them understand on how to file any claims.
"This city does not condone this behavior, sexual or racial discrimination, and it will be investigated. If something is to be chargeable, employees will be charged," Williams added.
Pruitt encourages others to come forward to put an end to the alleged trend.
"If anybody comes across anything in the workplace especially a noose, take a picture, give us a call," Pruitt said.
Pruitt said next month they are launching a social media and billboard campaign, sharing these images on display.
5 On Your Side reached out to the other companies named and have not heard back.