Missouri AG Sues IBM Over Alleged Violations of State’s Human Rights Act (Connecting the Dots: IBM, Silver Lake, Soros Fund Management & Soros Funding, All Networking)
By
Chase Smith 6/20/2024 Updated: 6/20/2024
The
Epoch Times
Missouri
Attorney General Andrew Bailey, initiated legal action against IBM on June 20,
alleging that the company’s employment practices violate state
anti-discrimination laws.
The
lawsuit,
filed in the Circuit Court of St. Louis County, asserts that International
Business Machines Corp.’s “diversity modifier” system imposes unlawful
employment quotas based on race, color, national origin, sex, and ancestry,
tying executive compensation to these quotas.
“It
has come to my attention that IBM has adopted an unlawful policy that blatantly
favors applicants of a certain skin color over others, and that managers within
the company who refuse to comply with said policy face adverse action,
including and up to, termination,” Mr. Bailey said in a statement after the
suit was filed. “Missourians deserve answers as to why one of the largest
technology and consulting companies in the world, with offices based in
Missouri, is discriminating against both prospective and current employees.”
AG’s
Complaint
According
to the lawsuit, IBM executives are pressured to meet specific diversity quotas,
with their bonuses and job security at stake.
“IBM
gives its executives two choices: discriminate or lose your job,” the complaint
states, and describes the “diversity modifier” as a mechanism that links
executive bonuses to achieving racial, gender, and other demographic quotas.
The
complaint details IBM’s alleged quota system through statements from IBM’s CEO,
Arvind Krishna, who is reported to have said that IBM’s goals include achieving
demographic representation reflective of the general population.
“IBM
has made clear its goals of using discriminatory and insufficiently tailored
means to bring about discriminatory and unjustifiable ends,” the lawsuit
claims.
The
lawsuit further asserts that this quota system compels IBM’s executives to make
employment decisions primarily based on applicants’ demographic characteristics
rather than their qualifications.
This,
according to the attorney general, not only discriminates against certain
groups but also subjects executives who fail to meet these quotas to adverse
employment actions, including reduced bonuses and potential termination.
The
attorney general’s office claims that such practices violate Chapter 213 of the
Revised Statutes of Missouri, which prohibits discriminatory employment
practices.
“It
is an unlawful discriminatory practice for an employer to fail or refuse to
hire any individual, or otherwise to discriminate against any individual with
respect to his or her compensation, terms, conditions, or privileges of
employment, because of such individual’s race, color, national origin, sex, or
ancestry,” Mr. Bailey, a Republican, wrote in the lawsuit.
The
complaint also references two recent Supreme Court cases, where the court ruled
that race-based affirmative action programs in college admissions violate the
Equal Protection Clause of the 14th Amendment. The suit says these cases
bolster the argument that racial quotas and balancing are “patently
unconstitutional” and also violates Missouri law.
Specific
Allegations and Requested Action
The
suit contains several alleged violations of the state’s law, including
inciting, aiding, or coercing discriminatory practices; limiting, segregating,
or classifying employment applicants; unlawful printing or circulation;
improper employment inquiries and application forms; failing to hire
individuals; and retaliation against those opposing these discriminatory
practices.
They
make the allegations of violating the law using evidence, primarily statements
made by Mr. Krishna in a video that was released on X in late 2023.
The
video, which features Mr. Krishna along with other executives—including Paul
Cormier, chairman and former CEO of Red Hat, and Allison Showalter, senior
director of corporate communications at Red Hat—captures Mr. Krishna openly
discussing IBM’s diversity hiring practices. It was part of an internal meeting
and was leaked to the public.
In
the footage, Mr. Krishna is seen responding to questions about IBM’s efforts to
promote diversity, equity, and inclusion within its executive ranks.
He
candidly acknowledges that IBM employs a quota system for increasing the
representation of underrepresented minorities among its executives.
Specifically, he mentions that IBM’s goal is to move forward by 1 percent each
year in terms of hiring and promoting black and Hispanic individuals, as well
as increasing gender diversity.
Mr.
Krishna elaborates that executive bonuses are directly tied to meeting these
diversity targets. He states that executives receive a “plus” on their bonuses
if they achieve the desired demographic shifts, but face penalties if they fail
to do so.
The
lawsuit argues that these statements confirm IBM’s use of discriminatory
quotas, which the attorney general contends violate Missouri’s
anti-discrimination laws. By tying executive compensation to the attainment of
specific demographic goals, IBM allegedly compels its leaders to engage in
unlawful employment practices, thereby perpetuating systemic discrimination
within the company.
The
lawsuit seeks a permanent injunction to prohibit IBM from using its “diversity
modifier” quotas in Missouri. The attorney general’s office also requests
additional relief to ensure compliance with Missouri’s anti-discrimination laws
and to protect the rights of Missouri citizens from systemic discrimination.
IBM
is a publicly traded corporation with offices worldwide, including two in the
state of Missouri. In 2023, IBM’s worldwide employment stood at about 282
thousand people, according to the suit.
The
Epoch Times contacted IBM for comment.
Connecting
the Dots:
David E. McKinney was
a division president for IBM and is a trustee at the Committee
for Economic Development.
George H. Conrades was
the SVP for IBM and is a trustee at the Committee for
Economic Development.
Foundation to Promote Open Society was a funder for the Committee for Economic
Development and the Brookings Institution (think tank).
George Soros was the chairman
for the Foundation to Promote Open Society.
Shirley Ann
Jackson was a trustee at the Committee for Economic
Development, is a trustee at the Brookings Institution (think tank)
and a director at IBM.
Joan E. Spero was
an honorary trustee at the Brookings Institution (think tank) and is
a director at IBM.
John A.
Swainson was a group vice president for the International
Business Machines Corp (IBM) and a senior adviser at Silver Lake.
Silver
Lake Kraftwerk Fund is a fund for Silver Lake and a
partner with Soros Fund Management.
George Soros is the founder of Soros Fund Management.
Glenn H.
Hutchins was the founder & managing partner for Silver
Lake and is a trustee at the Brookings Institution (think tank).
Foundation to Promote Open Society was a funder
for the Brookings Institution (think tank).
George Soros is the chairman for the Foundation
to Promote Open Society.
Joan E. Spero was
an honorary trustee at the Brookings Institution (think tank) and is
a director at IBM.
David E. McKinney was
a division president for IBM and is a trustee at the Committee
for Economic Development.
George H. Conrades was
the SVP for IBM and is a trustee at the Committee for
Economic Development.
Foundation to Promote Open Society was a funder for the Committee
for Economic Development.
George Soros was the chairman for
the Foundation to Promote Open Society.
Resources:
Past Research
NBC
News: “All Americans Will Be Microchipped In Less Than 3 Years” (Past Research on IBM)
SUNDAY,
SEPTEMBER 21, 2014
https://thesteadydrip.blogspot.com/2014/09/nbc-news-all-americans-will-be.html
Time
Warner to move retirees to health care exchanges (Past
Research on International Business Machines Corp (IBM))
WEDNESDAY,
NOVEMBER 27, 2013
https://thesteadydrip.blogspot.com/2013/11/time-warner-to-move-retirees-to-health.html
No comments:
Post a Comment