A woman from Oregon is suing her trucking school over claims of discrimination and unfair treatment she faced during her CDL training.
The allegations: Linda Derks, who attended Chemeketa Community College in Salem in 2023, alleges that instructors used racist and sexist language in a "crash course" about the trucking industry. She claims that women, Mexicans, and Middle Eastern individuals were portrayed negatively.
- Derks, a former restaurant owner, was pursuing a new career in trucking thanks to a state grant aimed at supporting women, people of color, and veterans.
- She alleges that her instructors gave her less driving time compared to male students.
The background: The lawsuit accuses the school of fostering a hostile learning environment. Derks wants the school to replace the instructors and is seeking $500,000 for what she describes as a significant emotional toll.
Derks completed the program and now works as a truck driver, but she says the experience made her question her place in the industry. She is continuing the legal battle to address the culture she encountered, reported Salem Reporter.
Currently, Derks is in search of new legal representation, as her lawyer left the case. She has until April 2025 to secure another attorney for her fight.