DTNA Sued for $9.5 Million in Discrimination Complaint

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Transport Topics / February 25, 2015

Two current and two former African-American employees of Daimler Trucks North America have filed a $9.5 million suit against the truck maker, saying they suffered job discrimination, threats of violence and harassment.

The action was filed in the Circuit Court of Oregon in Multnomah County, which includes Portland and DTNA’s headquarters.

Daimler said in a statement: “As per company policy, DTNA will not comment or speculate on pending or active legal proceedings.”

The plaintiffs — three men and one woman — filed the suit Feb. 24.

In the complaint, the three male workers said white co-workers often used racial slurs, and the female employee said she was asked “demeaning” questions about her weight, blood pressure and risk of diabetes.

The four previously received a right-to-sue letter from the Oregon Bureau of Labor and Industries. In Oregon, such discrimination cases can go to Boli, as the bureau is known, before proceeding to court.

The workers were among 11 who filed civil rights complaints with Boli against Daimler. In January, the company settled with six of the workers for a total of $2.4 million in damages. The other worker has not filed a suit.

Under the January agreement, Daimler said it would take steps to ensure a harassment- and discrimination-free workplace for current and future employees.

The truck maker said it would: install a civil rights complaint hotline; institute supervisor logbooks for any future incidents; conduct mandatory supervisor trainings handled by Boli or a Boli-approved entity; and provide training for at least two designated managers to conduct internal investigations to address any future incidents.

“DTNA has fully cooperated with the Boli investigation, including providing access to current and former employees and supervisors and access to documentation pertaining to these civil rights complaints,” Daimler said in a statement.

The current suit alleges that the hostile and unjust work atmosphere the employees endured dates to 1993. The workers said in their suit that when they reported incidents of job discrimination, threats and harassment to company executives, the complaints went unheeded.