MCTS reports progress on EEO goals, cites high minority representation and apprenticeship work to raise female craft hiring

Milwaukee County Transit System staff presented an informational report on the agencys Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) program, telling the committee that minority representation now exceeds utilization goals in every job category while female representation meets goals in five of seven categories.

Sandy Kellner, chief administrative officer and EEO officer for MCTS, said the agency updates its EEO program every three years to set utilization goals by job category using American Community Survey (ACS) data. Kellner reported that professionals are 53% minority compared with a goal of 18.7% and administrative support workers are 57% minority compared with a 41% goal; she said director-level minority representation is at an all-time high of 50%.

Kellner said female representation exceeds goals in five of seven job categories, but MCTS is continuing recruitment and training efforts for craft and service worker categories where female representation remains low. Strategies cited include a state-partnered apprenticeship program (with an incumbent female apprentice), internal job-shadowing and skill-building programs, and specialized EEO training for hiring managers. Kellner said MCTS maintains reporting to Federal Transit Administration (FTA) requirements and will continue targeted recruitment and retention efforts.

Committee members asked about how utilization goals are calculated; Kellner explained the goals are derived from ACS labor-force data for the Milwaukee area and are updated every three years when the EEO plan is refreshed. A public commenter, Michael Brown, representing union concerns, praised increased minority leadership but urged hiring based on qualification and criticized what he described as a persistent "buddy system" in promotions; he urged the county to ensure qualifications guide hires. The item was informational and no committee action was requested.