Austin Grassroots Group Concerned Over Tesla's Hiring Practices

Austin TX

21 October, 2021

10:01 AM

Description

AUSTIN, TX — An Austin-based grassroots group has raised concerns with Tesla leadership over hiring practices at the company's new Texas gigafactory. Texas Anti-Poverty Project, which was created by Austin ISD trustee Ofelia Maldonado Zapata, is worried that Tesla lacks opportunities for Spanish speakers. Tesla, which is hiring 5,000 workers at the Austin factory, told the grassroots group and Austin-Travis County it currently does not provide bilingual staff to translate for Spanish speakers at the plant, according to Axios Austin. Live in Austin? Click here to subscribe to our free breaking news alerts delivered to your inbox and mobile devices. Follow us on Facebook and Twitter, and download our free mobile app on Android or iPhone. As of Tuesday, the electric car manufacturer has many jobs available at the factory that will only require a high school education or GED. In total, about 364 jobs are currently available. "We all found out — even the county did not know — that [Tesla said] basically, 'We don't hire Spanish speakers,'" Zapata told Axios. "It's like what? How can you build a plant in an area that is high [in] Spanish speakers when they're probably the ones building the plant." Officials said Tesla is working with the anti-poverty group to create a program to help workers learn English for their job. However, Zapata says that isn't enough. She said the anti-poverty project plans to meet with city council members and county commissioners to discuss future incentives with companies moving to the area and the enforcement of those agreements. "I want this to be the platform for incentive deals with companies, where residents come and this is a way we can ask them questions that the community is concerned about," Zapata added. Tesla and a spokesperson for the county did not return Axios' requests for comment.