(a) The City Council finds that discrimination in employment and labor union membership based on race, color, creed, religion, ancestry, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, disability, age, marital status or status with regard to public assistance adversely affects the health, welfare, peace and safety of the community. Such discriminatory practices degrade individuals, foster intolerance and hate, and intensify unemployment, ill health, lawlessness, and poverty, thereby injuring the public welfare.
(b) It is therefore the public policy of the city and the purpose of this section:
(1) To recognize and declare that the opportunity to obtain employment and labor union membership without discrimination based on race, color, creed, religion, ancestry, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, disability, age, marital status, or status with regard to public assistance is a civil right;
(2) To prevent and prohibit discriminatory practices based on race, color, creed, religion, ancestry, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, disability, age, marital status or status with regard to public assistance with respect to employment and labor union membership;
(3) To effectuate the foregoing policy by means of public information and education, mediation and conciliation, and enforcement; and
(4) To protect all persons from unfounded charges of discriminatory practices.
(Ord. 98-53, passed 11-16-1998)