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President of Major U.S. Union (AFGE) Accused of Sexual Harassment
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2019-10-28/afge-president-accused-of-sexual-harassment-in-metoo-scandalIn April 2017, Brett Copeland was weeks into a new role at the largest U.S. federal employee union when, he says, the head of the union, J. David Cox, repeatedly told him he loved him. Then he stuck his tongue in Copeland’s ear.
The two were in Palm Springs, Calif., for a meeting, making their way back to their hotel after running into each other at a bar, when the 66-year-old president of the American Federation of Government Employees urged his newly promoted 31-year-old communications director to come have a drink in his room. Cox invited Copeland to check out his Jacuzzi. He declared his love again and again.
As they neared the hotel, Cox leaned in for a hug. That’s when he licked Copeland’s ear. “It was embarrassing, and it was disgusting, and it was kind of unbelievable that it happened,” Copeland says. Cox’s secretary, Rocky Kabir, was with them. He says he was too far away to see a lick, but saw the hug and earlier interactions, including Cox placing his hand on Copeland’s shoulder while the communications director was urinating. Copeland resigned the day after he got back to Washington. “I really love the union, I believe in the mission,” he says. “But I cannot imagine ever having to work with him again.”
Copeland is one of 10 men and women Bloomberg News talked to who describe witnessing or experiencing inappropriate conduct by Cox while working for AFGE, the union that represents 700,000 workers at dozens of federal and District of Columbia government agencies. Current and former employees say Cox made inappropriate comments about subordinates’ bodies, invited a secretary to shower with him, and suggested he was aroused around colleagues. They say his behavior has driven away talented employees, violated labor’s values, and undermined the union’s mission. Cox denies the allegations, AFGE said in a statement. He will take a leave of absence while the allegations are investigated, the union said.
The two were in Palm Springs, Calif., for a meeting, making their way back to their hotel after running into each other at a bar, when the 66-year-old president of the American Federation of Government Employees urged his newly promoted 31-year-old communications director to come have a drink in his room. Cox invited Copeland to check out his Jacuzzi. He declared his love again and again.
As they neared the hotel, Cox leaned in for a hug. That’s when he licked Copeland’s ear. “It was embarrassing, and it was disgusting, and it was kind of unbelievable that it happened,” Copeland says. Cox’s secretary, Rocky Kabir, was with them. He says he was too far away to see a lick, but saw the hug and earlier interactions, including Cox placing his hand on Copeland’s shoulder while the communications director was urinating. Copeland resigned the day after he got back to Washington. “I really love the union, I believe in the mission,” he says. “But I cannot imagine ever having to work with him again.”
Copeland is one of 10 men and women Bloomberg News talked to who describe witnessing or experiencing inappropriate conduct by Cox while working for AFGE, the union that represents 700,000 workers at dozens of federal and District of Columbia government agencies. Current and former employees say Cox made inappropriate comments about subordinates’ bodies, invited a secretary to shower with him, and suggested he was aroused around colleagues. They say his behavior has driven away talented employees, violated labor’s values, and undermined the union’s mission. Cox denies the allegations, AFGE said in a statement. He will take a leave of absence while the allegations are investigated, the union said.
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= new reply since forum marked as read
thanks for posting
