Labor Trafficking Summit

Rotary Amigos After Hours presents:

Labor Trafficking in the U.S.:  The Intersection of Vulnerable Workers & Employment Discrimination

Vulnerable workers, from immigrants to the intellectually disabled, often toil in the U.S. as agricultural, domestic and factory workers, enduring isolation, threats, little to no pay, substandard living conditions, and even sexual harassment including rape.  Maria Flores, a 25-year veteran of the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), will give voice to these hidden victims of labor trafficking by highlighting select employment discrimination cases investigated and/or litigated by the EEOC.  Gain a better understanding as to what makes these workers particularly vulnerable, the barriers they face in voicing complaints, recourse under civil rights laws, agency resources, and special initiatives to combat this national problem.

Sponsored by the Milwaukee Athletic Club

Tuesday, March 28, 2017
Registration: 5:45 pm
Program:  6:00 –7:00 pm

Milwaukee Athletic Club
Superior Room
758 N. Broadway
Milwaukee, WI

A drawing will be held at the Summit for the book “The Boys in the Bunkhouse: Servitude and Salvation in the Heartland” based on an actual EEOC case.

Bio

Maria Flores is a 25-year veteran of the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.  She had served in a dual capacity as the EEOC Milwaukee District Office’s first Bilingual (Spanish-speaking) Investigator and as an investigator in the District’s “Systemic Team” where she specialized in investigating high-profile class action and systemic discrimination cases.  Maria was twice awarded national EEOC Chair awards for her collaborative work and successful resolution of high-profile, immigrant worker cases which had national impact and significant litigation results. 

For the past 15 years Maria has coordinated and conducted EEO training, outreach and technical assistance on a regional and national level as the Program Manager for the EEOC Chicago District.  She has a proven record as a highly-rated EEO speaker and trainer to diverse audiences on numerous employment discrimination issues.  Maria has also participated in a number of special EEOC workgroups at the invitation of EEOC headquarters. 

Maria received her B.A. from Marquette University where she was inducted into several international honor societies and received outstanding minority student achievement awards.  She has volunteered her time by actively serving on a number of diverse nonprofit boards and committees committed to civil rights, diversity, restorative justice, community service, and the arts.