Warning Issued to Nyc Employers Not to Discriminate Against Jewish Workers Under Pressure from Arab

New York City Human Rights Commissioner Eleanor Holmes Norton today warned New York City employers not to discriminate against Jews under pressure from the Arab boycott. In a press conference announcing that she has sent a letter to city trade associations warning that such discrimination would violate the City Human Rights Law, Ms. Norton said the City Commission on Human Rights believed that the best way to combat discrimination was to prevent it before it occurs.

The Commissioner made her statements in announcing that the Commission has found probable cause in a complaint charging a New York City oil company with discriminating in the firing of a Jewish receptionist-typist in Feb. 1974 whose job required the greeting of Arab visitors.

Ms. Norton said that Stacie Schwerner of Queens charged that the American Independent Oil Co., which does a great deal of business with Arab companies, fired her after they learned she was Jewish. The case will now proceed to a hearing before a hearing officer, after which a final decision will be made. Ms. Schwerner will be represented by the Commission’s attorneys.

Ms. Norton said this is the first such case that has gone to a public hearing. She said the case was referred to the Commission by the American Jewish Congress which she praised for its action. She stressed that individuals who feel they are discriminated against can appeal to the Commission and noted that the city law protects individuals from retaliation.

Any firm found guilty of discrimination is liable to pay both compensatory damages as well as damages for pain and suffering, Ms. Norton stressed. She said most cases were settled before a hearing is held because most firms do not want the publicity of a hearing. She noted that discrimination on the basis of the Arab boycott is “relatively new” in New York City and the Commission hopes to stem it before it becomes an “avalanche,” since the city is not only a world trade center but has the largest Jewish population in the country.

WILL NOT ACCEPT EXCUSE

Ms. Norton said the Commission will not accept an excuse from companies that they have to discriminate against Jews or face economic reprisals. She said economic reasons are not a justification for discrimination as the courts have shown in cases where Blacks or women have been discriminated against.

The Commissioner noted that most New York City employers are sophisticated about preventing discriminatory practices, but the Arab boycott is a new “subtle” method. She said the Commission will not only check into hiring and firing practices but also into recruitment policy–if a company no longer recruits in certain areas because Jews are there–and in promotion policies, including the assignment or lack of assignment of personnel abroad.

She said the Commission has this power as in the case now before a federal appeals court in which the Commission barred New York City newspapers from advertising jobs in South Africa for which Blacks would not be able to apply.

Ms. Norton’s warning was contained in a memorandum sent to trade associations including those whose members do a great deal of business abroad. She said the companies were advised to explain the city law not only to the corporate heads but those on a lower level that do the hiring, promoting and assigning of employes.

Jack M. Elkin, chairman of the AJCongress’ New York Metropolitan Council, said the organization was “gratified” with the Commission’s finding of probable cause. He praised Ms, Norton’s warning against discrimination and said the AJCongress “understands the need for recycling” oil money but the “search for petrodollars” cannot be permitted to violate national, city and state “commitments to equal opportunity and fair employment.”