Oregon Legislature to pay $1.1 million to 9 harassment victims

The Oregon Legislature has agreed to pay pay more than $1.1 million in damages to nine women who were sexually harassed at the state Capitol as part of a settlement agreement with the state’s Bureau of Labor and Industries.

In the agreement, signed Tuesday, lawmakers also agree to leave legislative counsel and human resources officials out of harassment complaints in the near future, Oregon Public Broadcasting reported.

Meanwhile, the agreement explicitly states that a BOLI investigation into harassment last year was “politicized in a manner that inhibited both sides from participating thoroughly,” a nod to concerns lawmakers raised repeatedly.

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News release from the Oregon House speaker and Senate president’s offices:

House Speaker Tina Kotek and Senate President Peter Courtney on BOLI settlement

SALEM – The Oregon Legislature reached a settlement agreement today with the Bureau of Labor and Industries in Commissioner Avakian v. Legislative Assembly, et al. and with the plaintiffs in the Marion County Circuit Court Case No. 19CV07520. This settlement of $1,121,612 will go to nine women who experienced harm during their time at the State Capitol. The Legislature has also agreed to pay $200,000 for BOLI’s attorneys’ fees.

House Speaker Tina Kotek and Senate President Peter Courtney have released the following statement about the settlement.

“On behalf of the Oregon Legislature, we sincerely apologize to the women who suffered harm during their time in the Capitol.

Everyone working in or visiting the State Capitol deserves to feel safe and respected. We remain committed to improving the Capitol’s workplace culture and are working hard to implement that change during the ongoing legislative session, following the recommendations of the Oregon Law Commission.”

Additionally, in the settlement agreement, BOLI acknowledged the investigation process “was politicized in a manner that inhibited both sides from participating thoroughly in the investigation.” The current BOLI commissioner stated in the agreement she is “committed to strengthening an atmosphere of impartiality, fairness, and trust to all who participate in agency investigatory processes.”

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SALEM – Oregon Senate Majority Leader Ginny Burdick, D-Portland, released the following statement today regarding release of the Bureau of Labor and Industries settlement:

“Discrimination and harassment have no place at the Oregon State Capitol. Our workplace must be an environment where Oregonians of all backgrounds can come together to participate in their government. As co-chair of the Capitol Culture Committee, I am working hard with a bipartisan group of colleagues to improve our workplace by enacting the recommendations of the Oregon Law Commission Work Group’s report. Our new laws and rules will make the Capitol more inclusive, equitable and accountable.”

“But the changes we make this session must go beyond legislation and rules. The work group’s report emphasized one key point: ‘The strongest policy imaginable will ultimately be ineffective unless and until there is a genuine and sustained effort to change the Capitol culture.'”

The Senate Democrats will continue working at all levels for the culture change that Oregonians deserve in their State Capitol.