Employment issue? Call us today at (512) 330-0017!

Six sue Lake Charles Wal-Mart for wrongful termination

Six plaintiffs filed a lawsuit against Wal-Mart in Lake Charles, Louisiana, claiming they were wrongfully terminated based on their race and age, despite their long-term experience working for the company, Market Watch reported on June 26.

Ironically, the lawsuit was filed days after Wal-Mart decided to pull out all products containing the Confederate flag from its shelves due to racial tensions surrounding the symbol.

According to the lawsuit, the Lake Charles’ store manager Leah Loerwald practices discrimination among the staff. Loerwald was also proven guilty by a jury in a previous discrimination case. Instead of firing her, Wal-Mart transferred her to the Lake Charles store.

Workplace discrimination should never be tolerated. If you have been singled out at work due to your race, gender, age, or another factor, the legal team at The Melton Law Firm in Austin may fight on your behalf in court. Call our offices at (512) 330-0017 today to begin taking action.


Former credit union branch manager sues over wrongful termination

Sugarland, Texas resident Roxanne Johnson, who worked as a branch manager at Texas Dow Employees Credit Union’s Rosenberg location beginning in 1996, filed a lawsuit against the company with claims of racial discrimination against her in 2014, the Southeast Texas Record reported on April 30.

The complaint stipulates that Johnson received positive performance reviews during her tenure as branch manager and was not issued any disciplinary actions regarding her work ethics. Despite this, the company promoted a Caucasian employee who had been with the company for fewer years than Johnson on July 1, 2014. That same manager terminated Johnson on July 10, 2014 for perceived “forced balancing.” When she collected unemployment, Johnson found out that this was not the official reason she was fired.

According to the lawsuit, the company failed to present evidence of formal decision making, policy or documents that justified Johnson’s termination.

The attorneys at The Melton Law Firm in Austin know that employees are often vulnerable to mistreatment and discrimination by their employers. Although you may feel powerless, there are methods of legal recourse that can hold your employer accountable. Call our offices at (512) 330-0017 today to learn more.


Hung jury in Jefferson County over racial discrimination case

The trial of a former employee of American Valve and Hydrant Manufacturing who was seeking punitive damages for racial discrimination and retaliation ended in mistrial on April 6, the Southeast Texas Record reported.

African-American Dennis Dumes said his former employer, American Cast Iron Pipe and American Valve, failed to promote him over the course of 27 years despite positive performance reviews–promoting Caucasian workers instead.

The jury decided that race was not a motivating factor as to why American Valve decided not to promote Dunes after August 25, 2009; however, the jury was not able to confidently determine whether Dunes was not promoted after that time due to retaliation over filing a complaint with the EEOC and the eventual lawsuit. Due to the hung jury, the trial was declared a mistrial.

If you have been the victim of retaliation, discrimination, or wrongful termination at your place of work in Austin or other areas in Texas, seek legal assistance from our attorneys at The Melton Law Firm by calling our offices today at (512) 330-0017.


Austin firefighters, city agree on resolution to change hiring process

After the firefighters’ union in Austin seemed to have won an impasse with the city over new terms for a hiring process and cadet training standards, a Department of Justice (DOJ) attorney issued a letter threatening that the resolution may send the DOJ back to court. Subsequently, the union issued an amended resolution, KXAN reported on February 5.

The DOJ cited concerns about the delay of priority hiring of minorities in the letter to the union. After the amended resolution was passed by Austin City Council members, the council urged the city staff to hire an outside agency to test cadets within the timeline outlined in the DOJ Consent Decree, but only after the Austin Firefighters’ Association and the city reach a new employment deal.

The city of Austin and the firefighter’s association had yet to establish a new employment deal since the old agreement’s terms lapsed in 2009. According to the resolution, Austin’s capacity for diversity and fair treatment in the fire department depends on ongoing, collective bargaining.

If an employer has willfully or unintentionally violated your rights as employees and you live in the Austin area, seek the legal assistance of our attorneys at the The Melton Law Firm, who may advocate for your rights, by dialing (512) 330-0017 today.


Female Hispanic manager sued MLB for discrimination

Forty-eight-year-old Sylvia Lind, the highest-ranking Hispanic woman in a management position at Major League Baseball, said in a lawsuit she filed against the organization on December 11 that she has faced discrimination in the league for over two decades, the Associated Press reported.

According to the lawsuit, Lind, who is currently the MLB’s director of baseball initiatives in the Office of the Commissioner, said she has been passed over for promotions and has been consistently underpaid since 1995. She also claimed to experience a hostile work environment because of her age. The lawsuit also asserted that Frank Robinson, former hall of fame player, was appointed the executive vice president of baseball development despite a lack of qualifications and is paid over $1 million annually.

If you believe you are experiencing discrimination or a hostile work environment in Austin, the attorneys at the The Melton Law Firm may be able to advocate on your behalf. Call our offices at (512) 330-0017 today to learn about your legal options.


Cher’s backup dancers file lawsuit citing wrongful termination

Choreographer Kevin Wilson, along with backup dancers Suzanne Easter and Jacquelyn Dowsett Ballinger, filed a wrongful termination lawsuit on September 18 against 68-year-old singer and actress Cherilyn “Cher” Sarkisian due to alleged racial and age discrimination, the Associated Press reported.

Wilson and Easter believe that race was a factor in their dismissal, while Ballinger, 42, alleged that she was fired because of her age. Wilson said while he was employed, Cher told him not to hire any more black dancers because her shows already had “too much color.”

The trio seeks $10 million in damages from the suit.

An employer doesn’t have the privilege to terminate the employment of his workers on a whim; there are rules that need to be followed for a termination to be considered legitimate. If you are working in Austin and you think your termination was unlawful or unjust, contact our attorneys at the The Melton Law Firm by calling (512) 330-0017 today, and learn about your legal options.

The Melton Law Firm
925 S Capital of Texas Hwy
Ste B225
Austin, TX 78746
(512) 330-0017

See Map & Directions >