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Black firefighter takes discrimination charge to trial
AKRON, Ohio (AP) - A black firefighter in Barberton says be
believes that a noose found above his firehouse bed and a bullet
placed in his locker are evidence of racial discrimination at his
job.
Lawyer John Myers, who represents firefighter Terry Thomas, 38,
laid out the firefighter's complaint before jurors in a Summit
County courtroom Monday, as Thomas' racial discrimination lawsuit
began against the Akron suburb.
Thomas, who remains a Barberton firefighter, is seeking
unspecified damages.
Barberton officials deny that Thomas is a victim of
discrimination. They acknowledge that pranks may have been played
on Thomas, but they say the pranks were the kind that brothers play
on each other.
Thomas was the victim of "outrageous threats in the workplace"
beginning almost the day he joined the department in 1994, Myers
said.
Thomas contends in his suit that the department has "engaged in
a pattern of racial harassment and disparate treatment, and has
failed to train personnel about workplace discrimination."
Thomas was always the "odd man out" in the 40-person
department, Myers told jurors.
Thomas also alleges that he has been denied equal training
opportunities and assignments because of his race. Lawyers
representing Barberton say an investigation found his allegations
had no merit.
(Copyright 2003 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
believes that a noose found above his firehouse bed and a bullet
placed in his locker are evidence of racial discrimination at his
job.
Lawyer John Myers, who represents firefighter Terry Thomas, 38,
laid out the firefighter's complaint before jurors in a Summit
County courtroom Monday, as Thomas' racial discrimination lawsuit
began against the Akron suburb.
Thomas, who remains a Barberton firefighter, is seeking
unspecified damages.
Barberton officials deny that Thomas is a victim of
discrimination. They acknowledge that pranks may have been played
on Thomas, but they say the pranks were the kind that brothers play
on each other.
Thomas was the victim of "outrageous threats in the workplace"
beginning almost the day he joined the department in 1994, Myers
said.
Thomas contends in his suit that the department has "engaged in
a pattern of racial harassment and disparate treatment, and has
failed to train personnel about workplace discrimination."
Thomas was always the "odd man out" in the 40-person
department, Myers told jurors.
Thomas also alleges that he has been denied equal training
opportunities and assignments because of his race. Lawyers
representing Barberton say an investigation found his allegations
had no merit.
(Copyright 2003 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
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