Women in trades call for better treatment after MN workplace tragedy

This story was originally published by Minnesota News Connection.

Women working in Minnesota's construction trades say they're still coming to grips with a recent high-profile case of workplace violence. Union voices are calling for more conversations and other actions to ensure this sector is safe and welcoming for women.

In November, welder Amber Czech was murdered by a male co-worker at a plant just west of the Twin Cities.

Clara Schiller is a pipefitter, member of Pipefitters Local 455 and board member and instructor with the nonprofit Women Building Success. She confirmed there is renewed pressure to highlight the challenges women face working in the trades, including threatening and harassing behavior.

"It's absolutely something that is kept in mind when talking to people about getting into the trades," said Schiller. "There's not an expectation that these things will happen, but it is something that people should be aware of."

In a 2021 survey from the Institute for Women's Policy Research, more than a quarter of respondents said they are always or frequently harassed just for being a woman in the trades. And 44% had considered leaving the field.

Schiller said despite progress in improving gender diversity, the industry still needs to boost recruitment and retention so that women feel represented and in a safe enough environment to raise concerns.

As for getting to the root causes, Schiller said she feels a better tone is being set, as more women move up the career ladder in the trades.

"I've seen women become instructors at tech schools, and there's business agents," Schiller said. "All over the different trades, there's people stepping into leadership roles."

However, she feels there are "trailblazing opportunities" still left on the table.

Schiller said another sign of hope was a flurry of statements from different industry groups, strongly condemning last month's fatal attack. The response from Women Building Success also notes that conflict resolution must be a taught and practiced skill in the workplace.

A grand jury in Wright County indicted Czech's coworker, 45-year-old Bruce Delong, for first-degree murder Friday, Dec. 5. On a grand jury's indictment for the charge, Delong faces the possibility of life in prison without the possibility of parole.