African-American Barred from Attending SEIU Meeting

Former employee says union is guilty of discrimination toward Blacks and preferential treatment of Whites.

(SALEM) - Allegations of racial unfairness are rife at the union representing employees of the Oregon State Hospital in Salem, SEIU (Service Employees International Union).

Salem resident William Coleman, a former state hospital and corrections employee in Oregon, says he was floored last summer when he was told he had to leave a meeting other people had brought guests and family members to. He would later learn that a White former employee was allowed to attend the same meeting he was personally ejected from.

Coleman said, "On September 9, 2013, I was invited to an SEIU Union meeting by Charles Gregory. I was told by Mr. Gregory that the meeting was about employees getting fired for no reason. He told me he talked with his union representative, Penny Vansaten, who confirmed that it would be OK for me to be there."

Charles Gregory and William Coleman showed up at the union meeting. Coleman says that as he walked in, he noticed kids were present. Gregory told Coleman that family members and friends of employees were allowed to attend. They both sat down at a table.

It didn't take long, Coleman says, before he heard people in the room begin to discuss his presence at the meeting.

About ten minutes later, Coleman says he was approached by Randy Davis, Charles Gregory's ex-union rep.,who asked William Coleman to step outside of the room.

Background

Coleman and Gregory attend NAACP
meeting in Salem. Photo by Dexter Phoenix

On 24 Nov 2008, a man named Joe Salazar was observed by two State Hospital security guards "bunny hopping" over gravestones on a child's bicycle, in the Lee Cemetery in Salem. William Coleman, newly hired, was patrolling with Charles Gregory, an officer responsible for Coleman's training. The man on the bicycle suddenly veered toward the two state officers, reaching into his coat, as if to draw a weapon, both officers explained. Unarmed, they feared they were possibly misidentified as drug dealers, Coleman says they feared for their lives, so he opened his door and slammed his radio on the car's roof, feigning as if he had a weapon. Salazar rode away quickly, then took out his phone, called 911, and reported that two Black men were in the cemetery having sex.

Coleman, who was in his 'Trial Services' period, was terminated that day. Charles Gregory was suspended with pay, then fired some time later, and eventually rehired. Coleman and Gregory, both married men with children; say they didn't learn of the allegation of homosexual sex for weeks, until Coleman received a copy of the police report.

The state of Oregon's March, 2011 defense against racism charges filed by Mr. Coleman, hinged on the testimony of Salazar, a man with a history of brutal domestic assaults, sex abuse against a child, and multiple convictions for Witness Tampering. Joe Salazar was the farthest thing from a poster boy for witness credibility, but his word was taken very seriously by the Oregon Dept. of Justice as they defended the Oregon State Hospital in the wrongful dismissal case of William Coleman, whose ongoing struggle against racism in Oregon began when he was a guard in the state prison. This Whistleblower's story and related accounts have been published in numerous Salem-News.com articles.

Salazar, a man literally despised by Salem officers who know of his violent domestic abuse and sex crimes against children, became Oregon's star witness in their defense against Mr. Coleman's lawsuit. Mr. Coleman lost.

Coleman said, "Charles Gregory and I went outside to talk to Randy Davis, and we were joined by Lori Walker."

"In spite of what Charles had been told, about the meeting being open to the public, Randy Davis told me that this meeting, 'is for employees only, not ex-employees,'" Coleman added.

Charles Gregory says he explained to him that he was told that it was OK to bring a family member or friend to this meeting but Davis had no interest.

Salem-News.com contacted the media line for SEIU Wednesday afternoon, stating that we were interested in specific information about the meeting, including what rules were posted about attendance, and where. The SEIU did not return our call.

As the sidebar on the right indicates, they were involved in an outrageous case that for a period of time, shattered their lives and personal reputations.

Text Verified White Former Employee Was Allowed to Stay

"Later that evening, in my presence, Charles Gregory received a text message from an employee at the State Hospital who attended the meeting."

Coleman says a friend asked in the text message, why the two had left the meeting.

"Charles explained that Randy Davis had asked me to leave the meeting because I'm not an employee. That employee told Charles in the text that another former employee who is White, Yuri Kolmon, was still allowed to attend the meeting. Randy Davis didn't asked him to leave," the employee texted Mr. Gregory.

Coleman says Lori Walker and Penny Vansanten of SEIU were present at the meeting.

"They both know Yuri Kolmon was present. Randy Davis was Charles' union rep in 2008. He knew that we had done nothing wrong, and that there was never a legitimate reason for our termination. Randy Davis supported Charles Gregory, over a sex allegation, knowing that the sex allegation was bogus."

Coleman says that after all he has been through trying to battle racism in Oregon's capital city, he was devastated by his removal from the SEIU meeting.

"Randy Davis kicked me out of the union meeting because of my race. I remember the hateful look he had on his face when he was telling me he knew nothing of me coming to this meeting. Lori Walker supported Randy Davis in this discussion with me and Charles about my presence, or lack of it, at the meeting." I asked William Coleman what he really thought it was about, and he said, "I feel that if I were white, I would have being able to attend this union meeting."

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Louise January 25, 2014 8:44 am (Pacific time)

You have the wrong Randy Davis in the photo. The person in the photo is a "Randy Davis" that used to work for ODOT, not OSH. Amyway neither heads "SEIU 503". If you would do your reportive homework, you would realize that there are sub-locals in 503, like ODOT and OSH; union member members holdelected positions in those sub locals, and we have an elected executive director and president, and other positions that are state-wide officers.

The last thing we want to do is misidentify a person with a photo,; we had it verified but if we made a mistake we will correct it. It is hard to do my reportive homework when a group fails to respond to media inquiries.

Justice4William January 24, 2014 8:40 pm (Pacific time)

William you are not alone, we know you speak the truth.. For anyone to silence you, they must silence us..THE CORRUPT SHOULD HAVE EXPECTED US!

Kyle January 23, 2014 2:07 pm (Pacific time)

Silence Dogwood as you must know Oregon did not become a state until 1859. Many years ago, the 60's, many of us combat vets from WWII, Korea, and Vietnam were discussing what the most dangerous events/conditions would be facing us Oregonians in the immediate future. At that time crime was very low, gangs were essentially something that existed elsewhere. A question was asked of me because of my past extensive travels coupled with a law enforcement background: "Is there any place in the states where say 50 or more blacks move to where you do not see an increase in crime, obsolescence, and a general lowering of standards, for example educational performance...basically a downward spiral?" There is not, to my knowledge. This is a factual evaluation, so if you think facts are racist, then you are unable to deal in any kind of discussion that lends itself to possible problem resolutions. That is your reality.

Rocky Lore January 21, 2014 12:18 pm (Pacific time)

If racism still exists, it comes from the party of Robert Byrd aka Democrats.

I don't know about that, we know it does still exist and it is not an issue that falls along party lines.

Hank January 20, 2014 2:49 pm (Pacific time)

You can take the racists out of the deep south, but they are still nothing more than lip-sticked murdering feral filth. The white trash genetic scum racist morons are demons. Anyway love and kisses and have a happy MLK day, a man who stood miles above the racist white Americans.

Silence Dogood January 20, 2014 2:18 pm (Pacific time)

1844 Slavery was declared illegal in the Oregon Country, HOWEVER, the "COMPROMISE" was the infamous “Lash Law,” requiring that blacks in Oregon – be they free or slave – be whipped twice a year “until he or she shall quit the territory,” was passed in June 1844. It was soon deemed too harsh and its provisions for punishment are reduced to FORCED LABOR in December 1844. (What a JOKE in a so-called non-slavery state!!) NOT MUCH HAS CHANGED in 170 YEARS> Oregon Corrections is rampant with generations of "WHO YOU KNOW" NEPOTISM and ENTRENCHED RACISM. Apparently, the 1844 "lash law" is alive and well in the Oregon Prisons anytime THE PRESENT, RACIST, corrupted union members/guards want to teach those black prisoners whose "BOSS". I'm six decades old, white, and female and I am not fooled by the excuses by some white girl-guard for the excluding Mr. Coleman from a union meeting as an observer, nor her hostility expressed as a union-sheeple due to Coleman's ACTIVISM & RIGHT TO LITIGATE. Hell, no doubt it was the RACIST union-whites and their appointed-keepers who tried to fry Coleman with FALSE CRIMINAL CHARGES (and a fake witness) because Coleman wouldn't walk their little BLUE-WHITE line of "silence". The Corrections Union is basically, well, DISGUSTING!

Not fooled by UNION rhetoric January 20, 2014 1:50 pm (Pacific time)

Oregon and its entrenched institutionalized racism at Oregon Corrections goes back to NEPOTISM and the state's ORIGINAL provisional government and its Constitution to enter the Union. "NO BLACKS ALLOWED" was the decision of the RACIST founding father's of OreWrong. That's a fact. Attempts to repeal that section of the state law took DECADES, efforts beginning in 1893, caused, finally, repeal of the RACIST LANGUAGE in 1927. The RACIST attitudes persisted however, inter-generationally, (especially around SALEM). Hate is learned. The white, good-ole boys in POWER IN STATE GOVERNMENT will take centuries to eradicate after decades of "state organized crime" government, which was eventually run by the likes of the "enlightened" GOLDSCHMIDT REGIME>> which devolved to Kitzhaber & Kulongowski et al the GREEDY-ARSE-DEMOCRATS of the GOLDEN CALF CLUB who still own the public employee union bosses.

Delecia January 19, 2014 8:20 pm (Pacific time)

Tim King!! Thank you for exposing racism at the state hospital. I used to work there. I can understand how Mr. Coleman and Mr. Charles would feel, expecially after those damaging false sex allegation. Randy Davis even looks like KKK leader LOL.

Richard January 19, 2014 7:18 pm (Pacific time)

OK. I'm white I used to hate to see black people get good job positions because they were black, now I'm used to it and understand we must work together. This is clearly racism because he allowed the white man to attend the meeting, now I suppose he says he didn't know the white man was there, either way there is no excuse for noticing the black man and sending him away.

Anonymous January 19, 2014 5:57 pm (Pacific time)

Appears OJ and other typical racists are channeling their typical bs.

LOL Our regular shill racist drops by for a visit.

name withheld January 19, 2014 5:38 pm (Pacific time)

I would like to see everyone treated equally. It sure sounds like Coleman got a bad deal after he was hired at OSH. I love that he continuing to fight for justice. Lori, I give her credit for having guts, she responded but a very weak excuse.

William Coleman to Lori January 19, 2014 12:28 am (Pacific time)

Lori first thing you need to know is I'm an American citizen. What is printed is a fact, Just like it was a fact I was wrongfully discharged you know that's a fact, because you even told someone that they "should hire Coleman back," because of the hiring of Russ. I know what all of you look like, all I need is a name and I will know who they are thanks to facebook, myspace and twitter. I've written several topics on state issues... not one calls me a liar, they tried to cover up the truth, just like you. You know Yuri was there, you found out he was there and tried to justify why he was there to someone; the word "subpena" will get the truth out. I know more state hospital employees than you know right now, I communicate with them.

I've been part of unions before from the east coast to the west coast, I never was asked to resign or quit, like you have been ask to do. You want to talk about Hearsay or the truth. No one should be fired on hearsay by a child molester, wife beater! Salazar made up false allegation of homosexual activities about me and Charles, you know that wasn't true!! You want to cover yourself by saying "6 months trial service employee," it's ok to let someone go on bogus allegations. David Jarding is white you saw how many chances OSH gave him, he was on trial service, he was giving a union REP, NOT ONE TIME WAS I GIVEN A UNION REP. I ONLY HAD ONE INCIDENT AND THAT WAS BOGUS, but you still can't see race is a big issue with this Union.

RANDY DAVIS represented David Jarding, not me!! I was not allowed to have a union Rep by OSH and union did nothing to protect me!!! You say I must never have attended a union meeting before, I was trying to attend this union meeting I was kicked out by you and Randy Davis. Charles shouldn't ever lost his job to the bogus allegation!! If Charles was Jess he wouldn't ever have gotten fired!! The union has racial issues - admit it. I have a job, I'm a human Right Advocate full time east coast and west coast. I need you to be truthful to the facts, it will make you a better person, you are in denial when it comes to racism at the OSH. You run your mouth to people I know and support. If you get out to your local gyms you meet a lot of your co-workers. I know what these people look like. Tim King investigates what I give to him, before printing that may include talking some of your co-workers, Check out the DOC complaints I made, no one ever tells Tim King I'm lying because it's true and you can't handle the truth.

L Walker January 18, 2014 7:18 pm (Pacific time)

Regarding the misinformation of Mr. Coleman; No one has ever been asked to leave a union meeting due to race. The meeting you refer to was held for a very specific reason with specific OSH staff, union members. You were neither. I do not know that a terminated staff was there. I can not speak to what has happened or not to certain staff as I know you can't either because you know HEARSAY. Hearsay is not necessarily the truth. Those staff have never spoken to you, not once. You would not know or recognize them if you saw them. According to the union contract a person can be let go in their 6 month trial service. The sooner you realize you need to work rather than look for a lawsuit where one does not exist the better off you will be. I have issues with the union but it doe's not involve race. I have worked very closely with Randy Davis and have never heard or seen that man with a racial bias. You have OBVIOUSLY not attended any union meetings to see numerous members from around the USA and other countries of many races in attendance. Come on editor Tim ...This whole article stinks of yellow journalism..

jean January 18, 2014 4:27 pm (Pacific time)

SEIU Union is very weak when it come to black people with racial incidents, I have seen unions out here just want to help black people with harassment incidents. I'd like to know why Randy Davis didn't kick the white man out?

Chris January 18, 2014 3:41 pm (Pacific time)

I thought Coleman was dead! We were always joking about how he looked like green mile dude. I believe he'll prevail in this matter, that is very interesting that a text message was sent, and that the room at the union hall was full of people. They can't all be like Davis.

Mike January 18, 2014 2:02 pm (Pacific time)

I know of Coleman and Charles situation. I work at the hospital now. Randy Davis should step down, the union is weak and part of HR. HR controls the union. Coleman should have been hired back, he did nothing wrong, they hired Charles back. Davis made a big mistake I hope he pays for it.

continue Lori January 18, 2014 12:42 pm (Pacific time)

Yuri was fired for a reason, Charles and I were fired for no reason, you know it and Randy Davis was union rep in that case in 2008. Lori I was invited to be there, I even asked Charles to make sure I can attend!! Lori when I was fired I was not allowed to have a union Rep!! When David Jarding's trial service employee got in trouble in several incidents, he had a union Rep. Randy Davis represented David on an incident, where were Randy Davis when I could have used him, He represented Charles in same incident. Lori is it fair to have ex-employee Yuri who is white to attend the union meeting and not allow me (black male) the not to attend the meeting? Lori the truth stands alone just face the facts. Black men that's that have a voice at OSH is not wanted in your union Charles is a great example!!! Lori, this article would have never been printed if Yuri would been kick out the meeting with me. I know truth hurts, but it's the truth!! I would like a response if you are woman enough to do it.

William Coleman to Lori January 18, 2014 12:17 pm (Pacific time)

What's printed did take place and you were present!! Yuri should been asked to leave also, according to records he wasn't employed at OSH. What gives him the right to be there if I can't be there!? Lori, this article is the truth!!! It's a fact you were present with Randy Davis, you both stated I must leave. Charles was present also and witness saw you join Davi.

Anonymous January 18, 2014 11:20 am (Pacific time)

Tim king!! Thank you for exposing racism at the state hospital I used to work there. I understand how Mr. Coleman and Mr. Charles feel expecially after the sex allegation. Randy Davis even looks like a KKK leader.

L walker. January 18, 2014 10:42 am (Pacific time)

Do you try to get the truth before you print something? Your news should be called the Salem enquirer.

SEIU was contacted, they failed to comment.

L walker January 18, 2014 10:28 am (Pacific time)

I am named in the article too. This had nothing to do with race. Slow news day maybe. It was a union meeting.

jerry January 18, 2014 3:54 am (Pacific time)

Text message sent will stick no matter if witness changes their mind not to tell the truth. This is clearly an easy case.

Monty January 18, 2014 3:08 am (Pacific time)

I used work at the state hospital, I believe Davis is racist. This is Black and White clear cut. You allow white men to attend the meeting and kick the black man out.

Chris L. January 17, 2014 11:33 pm (Pacific time)

SEIU Union is very weak when it come to black people with racial incident, I have seen unions out here just want help black people with harassment incidents. I'd like to know why Randy Davis didn't kick the white man out. He should known Mr. Coleman will respond in positive way. salem-news.com/articles/january112014/corruption-petition-ns.php

James January 17, 2014 9:38 pm (Pacific time)

Randy Davis should resign after this incident it's clear he a racist!!!

harry jones January 17, 2014 8:15 pm (Pacific time)

If the white guy wasn't present at the meeting Mr. Coleman wouldn't raise a complaint. Racism alive in Oregon, they are so used togetting away with this kind of behavior, Mr. Coleman isn't having it. Peace out.

Mark January 17, 2014 6:34 pm (Pacific time)

Man here we go again, Coleman going after the hospital, he may win this case if witness will testify that the white man attended the meeting. Clear cut this case!!!

Bill January 17, 2014 4:28 pm (Pacific time)

I used to work with Mr. Coleman at the hospital (for a short time) He seemed quiet and focused. I never believed he should have been fired or so terribly misrepresented to staff, he got a bad deal.

Beth January 17, 2014 12:55 pm (Pacific time)

Tim King!! Thank you for exposing racism at the state hospital. I used to work there. I understand how Mr. Coleman and Mr. Charles must feel, expecially after sex allegation. Randy Davis even looks like a KKK leader.

Steven January 17, 2014 12:41 pm (Pacific time)

welcome to Oregon Mr. Coleman if your skin color was different this entire outcome would have been different. keep fighting the fight. SEIU should be under investigation !!

Delmus Smith January 17, 2014 11:10 am (Pacific time)

I'm from SC I'm black used to be member of SEIU. We won't allow such incident like this go untouched. Mr. Davis should have done a roll call to see if any other non employees were present and if so, kicked them out too. Davis Clearly is in the wrong. This is a clear cut situation about how some people just hate us.

Lewis Carter January 17, 2014 10:42 am (Pacific time)

Randy Davis allowed the white guy to attend and kick the black guy out they both were formal employees. That's clearly black and white!! IS case for any jury.

Debra January 17, 2014 4:35 am (Pacific time)

Well, racism is alive in Oregon thanks to Randy Davis and Lori Walker. Great Article!!

Justin January 16, 2014 11:59 am (Pacific time)

Do you call this journalism? The guy isn't a member of this union, so why would be be allowed to attend the meeting? Your agenda is crystal clear.

We question why one former employee was allowed to attend and not the other. Can you explain that part? Thanks.

Myke W January 16, 2014 10:40 am (Pacific time)

What on earth is this about? Why would SEIU take that position?

larry wilson January 16, 2014 10:01 am (Pacific time)

Is this really happening in Oregon? This is bad. I hope Randy Davis loses his career behind this: The law states equal rights for all. Coleman should have been rehired!!!

Rocky Lore January 16, 2014 7:30 am (Pacific time)

Aren't the unions usually accusing everyone else of racism? Looks like another case of those who don't follow their own advice.

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