By Laura Stevens
Eight current and former United Parcel Service Inc. drivers
based in Lexington, Ky., have filed suit against the company,
accusing it of race discrimination.
The lawsuit, filed in Fayette County Circuit Court on Friday,
alleges that the employees, who are African-American, experienced
"severe and pervasive racist comments, intimidation, ridicule and
insults" while working at UPS.
Managers also meted out more severe punishments to
African-American employees than Caucasian employees, according to
the lawsuit.
UPS "fundamentally disagrees" with the charges made in the
lawsuit, a spokeswoman said.
The suit also alleges that after complaining to local UPS
managers, three of whom are also named as defendants in the suit, a
dummy that appeared to look like a black UPS driver was hung from
the ceiling by a string during a safety demonstration in August
2012 and was left there for several days. The dummy was in full UPS
uniform with a dark-brown knit hat used as the face, the lawsuit
contends. Later, a handwritten sign was placed on it saying, "no
hangings please," the lawsuit says.
"The black UPS effigy was intended to send a message, and did in
fact have the effect of intimidating the African-American employees
who had complained," the suit alleges.
The purpose of the safety demonstration was to teach drivers the
proper way to use a handrail, the UPS spokeswoman said. One hand
and one foot of the safety demonstration dummy were attached to a
ladder with twine, she said, and a string was used to hold it up.
"The objective is injury prevention," she said. "There was
certainly no ill will."
After it was made clear that some employees were offended, she
said that human resources representatives met with the employees
and conducted focus groups within the next few days.
The employees are seeking a "substantial amount" in damages,
said the employees' attorney, Luke Morgan. He declined to name a
figure.
Write to Laura Stevens at laura.stevens@wsj.com
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