To: University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC) Board of Directors:

As leaders and members of the Pittsburgh community, we are deeply disturbed by your recent arguments in court that attempt to dismantle long-standing anti-discrimination laws.

This legal challenge is an unprecedented and radical move that, should it prevail, would undo decades of established federal protections created to eradicate discrimination and ensure equal employment opportunities for all American workers. Rather than abide by and celebrate these regulations, you have chosen to undermine them. We are alarmed you are urging a federal appeals court to invalidate the U.S. Department of Labor’s equal opportunity regulations that require federal contractors and subcontractors to provide information about their hiring practices of women and people of color.

According to your own mission statement on your website, you are committed to Affirmative action and equal employment opportunity.

“The UPMC is committed to affirmative action and to taking positive steps to eliminate barriers that may exist in EEO (Equal Employment Opportunity) and in employment practices. “ http://www.upmc.com/careers/pages/equal-opportunity-policy.aspx

Your legal challenge does not live up to this commitment. Women and people of color fought long and hard for these laws that ensure equal protection in the workplace. Given your stated commitment and the significant amount of women and people of color who work for you, your legal challenge is confusing and extremely troubling.

We, the many, are calling on you to immediately withdraw your challenge to the equal opportunity regulations and put an end to this unprecedented attempt to dismantle protections for millions of workers across the country.

Signed,

PA NOW

Sign On & Tell UPMC to Put an End to Their Attacks on Equal Opportunity

Either you stand for anti-discrimination policy or you don’t, and UPMC is clearly sending a message that it does not,” said Caryn Hunt, president of the Pennsylvania state chapter of the National Organization for Women. “Equal employment opportunity policy is exactly that – protections to ensure a level playing field for workers. These laws need to be protected.