Two trans employees at Netflix have filed labour complaints against the streaming service, alleging it retaliated against them due to their activity protesting Dave Chappelle’s The Closer comedy special.
The Closer has received significant backlash for Chappelle’s jokes about the LGBTQIA+ community, particulary those directed at transgender people.
The special has been widely condemned for both its transphobia and homophobia, prompting action from Netflix workers, including a walkout by the company’s trans employee resource group.
The two employees at the center of the dispute have filed a complaint with the National Labor Relations Board, an independent federal agency which has the power to organise settlements or issue complaints against employers.
B. Pagels-Minor, a Black, non-binary employee, organised a company-wide walk in protest of The Chaser. They were later fired by Netflix, who alleges that they leaked metrics about the program – including how much it cost – to Bloomberg. Pagels-Minor has denied these charges.
The other employee, Terra Field, posted a viral Twitter thread objecting to the Chappelle special, referencing the sustained violence trans people face.
I work at @netflix. Yesterday we launched another Chappelle special where he attacks the trans community, and the very validity of transness – all while trying to pit us against other marginalized groups. You're going to hear a lot of talk about "offense".
We are not offended 🧵
— Terra Field 🏳️⚧️ (@RainofTerra) October 7, 2021
Field was suspended, according to Netflix, for attending a director-level meeting. However, Field has said that she, as well as a number of other employees, were invited to attend the meeting. She was later re-instated to her role.
According to The Verge, Field has received a credible death threat, and has applied for medical leave, while Pagels-Minor is pregnant and currently at risk of losing their health insurance.
The Hollywood Reporter quoted the filing in the NRLB, which says that the streaming service “engaged in the above activity to quell employees from speaking up about working conditions including, but not limited to, seeking to create a safe and affirming work environment for Netflix employees, speaking up about Netflix’s products and the impact of its product choices on the LGBTQ+ community, and providing support for employees whom Netflix has treated in an unlawful and disparate manner.”
The publication also received a statement from Netflix, who said: “we recognize the hurt and pain caused to our trans colleagues over the last few weeks.”
“But we want to make clear that Netflix has not taken any action against employees for either speaking up or walking out.”
The employees’ attorney Laurie Burgess said in a statement that: “this charge is not just about B. and Terra, and it’s not about Dave. It’s about trying to change the culture and having an impact for others.”
“The charge is all about collective action. It’s about supporting your coworkers and speaking up for things you care about.”
