Illegal activities of Southern Bosses for the weeks between Friday, May 9, and Friday, May 16
Alabama Discriminators
Two women are suing the city of Huntsville, Alabama for discrimination – both are represented by Huntsville Attorney Richard Newton.
Allison Ellis, a former police dispatcher, claims she faced discrimination based on her gender and religion. She is also suing Michael Dunley, a lieutenant at the Huntsville Police Department.
Ellis was working part-time as a dispatcher at the Huntsville Police Department in 2023 when she became pregnant with her third child. Documents show that Ellis informed her supervisor that she needed to leave work early to make midwife appointments for prenatal care, but was instead yelled at by her supervisor, saying she needed to schedule the appointments on different days.
The complaint said an HPD dispatch sergeant also threatened Ellis’s job a few months later, saying: “You know, Allison, I might not let you come back [to work following maternity leave] once you pop out that baby.”
Records show that Ellis made an internal complaint against the sergeant because of the comment, and she met with two Huntsville Human Resources staff members about the issue in July 2024.
Court records show that Ellis began her maternity leave in October 2024.
The complaint said that Ellis had previously discussed her religious beliefs with Danley when she began working part-time in 2023. Documents said Ellis is a Seventh Day Sabbath Keeper and observes the Sabbath from Friday at sundown through Saturday. Ellis’ attorney said that Danley had previously said he understood Ellis’ religious observance and would not have a problem making a faith-based accommodation for her.
According to the complaint, when Ellis was set to return to work in late December 2024 and early January 2025, Danley said that the only times she could work were Friday evenings and Saturday. The complaint said this happened despite Danley knowing about her religious beliefs.
“After Plaintiff re-notified Danley of her faith-based work schedule needs, opposing the discriminatory demand he made on Plaintiff regarding same, Danley refused to reinstate Plaintiff and effectively fired her for that opposing workplace discrimination,” the complaint said.
Records show Ellis is asking for compensatory and punitive damages in the case.
The other dispatcher suing the city – Katrina Brady – alleges discrimination based on sex and race.
WHNT reports:
The complaint said that the discrimination began when Brady was pregnant in 2023, with claims that supervisors refused to make accommodations so that she could go to her doctor’s appointments and changed her work schedule to make it harder for Brady to go to those appointments.
Brady’s attorneys said that after she returned to work, a dispute over Brady being provided a place to pump breast milk led to her making a complaint against a supervisor. The complaint said this complaint led to retaliation from both her supervisor and the HPD command staff in general.
According to the complaint, this retaliation included disciplinary actions against Brady, which attorneys said do not reflect her behavior and instead stereotype her.
Attorneys also allege that Brady made several complaints herself, saying she was being retaliated against and the city failed to investigate those complaints.
The complaint said the discrimination spanned from 2023 to 2024 and also constituted a conspiracy by police command staff.
The complaint said its statement of fact shows that discrimination.
Brady’s attorneys are asking the court for compensatory and punitive damages, and for the city to revisit and update its policies regarding workplace discrimination and other relevant areas.
Georgia Endangerers
A U.S. Department of Labor follow-up inspection found that Art Stone-Granite & Marble Inc., a stone product manufacturer in Marietta, had failed to administer hearing conservation and respiratory protection programs identified previously on an April 2024 safety and health inspection.
Five months after the initial inspection, the department’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration cited the company with two repeat violations and 13 serious violations for not providing workplace protections for employees exposed to hazards such as silica dust and occupational related noise. The company will pay $120,000 in penalties, take action to correct the hazardous conditions, and put steps in place to prevent recurrence.
Union Busters
Brought to you by LaborLab: The nation’s leading watchdog standing with working families to stop employer coercion and intimidation. Visit www.laborlab.us for more info.
Here are the new filings from this week:
- Airstream (OH) hired LRI Consulting Services for $425/hour
- Best Virginia Heating and Cooling (WV) hired Miller and Amos, Attorneys at Law for $90 to $395/hour
- Verbal Beginnings (MD) hired GRCA
- Workers won their union election 33-1
- The union busters didn’t file until after the election was over
- Amazon DLX1 (CA) hired North River Consulting for $250/hour
- This is North River Consulting’s first filing
- Martignetti (CT) hired MAJ Consulting Services
- Workers won their union election 43-14
- The union busters didn’t file until after the election was over
- ELG Metals (CA) hired Labor Information Services for $315/hour
In addition, the following filings were amended:
- Todd Turner amended his filing for Labcorp to add his compensation rate of $200/hour
- Bradley K Rechel amended his filing for Pye-Barker Fire & Safety to add his compensation rate of $212.50/hour
As a reminder, due to a lack of enforcement, some labor relations consultants may disregard the law and fail to report their activities to the U.S. Department of Labor. Therefore, it’s crucial for organizers and workers to report suspected “persuader” activity to the U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Labor-Management Standards (OLMS).
It’s crucial for organizers and workers to report suspected “persuader” activity to the U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Labor-Management Standards (OLMS). You can reach them via email at OLMS-Public@dol.gov, by calling (202) 693-0123, or by contacting your nearest OLMS District Office.
For assistance, please contact LaborLab at contact@laborlab.us.