Workers claim racism at Memphis UPS facility
 

http://www.wmctv.com/global/story.asp?s=7401836

Workers at a UPS facility in Memphis say they are victims of racism in the workplace, and they're taking their fight to court.

Herman Lewis has been a dock worker for UPS Freight for the past 13 years.

Lewis claims blacks often get passed over for promotions and are disciplined more harshly than white employees.

"Things that we have concerning race...they have had a dull ear of hearing those things and so we have to take it to another level," Lewis said in an interview Friday.

Lewis and three of his coworkers filed a discrimination lawsuit against the company on October 13th. Since then, according to Lewis, he's been a victim of racial retaliation.

"Recently there was a noose found in my workstation," he said.

The rope Lewis said was left on the trailer door at his station. Lewis said door handles in the other 192 work stations are made of black canvas straps.

When asked for comment, UPS Spokesperson Norman Black said, "We took the report very very seriously. Both inside and outside investigators were brought in to address the claim. While the investigation is ongoing, preliminary results showed that it was not a noose. "

Lewis is not happy with the company's response.

"It can't silence me, because the right thing for me and anybody else to do is to speak out against any unequal treatment," he said.

Lewis the three other plaintiffs on the lawsuit go to trial January 28th.

Regarding the lawsuit UPS says, "This is something that the company has resolved to litigate. We believe that the allegations are without merit and we are going to pursue a full vigorous defense because we do not believe they have any basis in fact."

One of the real shames of Memphis is that they have never gotten past this "race issue." You see it every day: in the eyes of your fellow drivers on the roadways; in local eateries; and everywhere else as well. A real shame.

Careful where this is going. Racial slurs are just a step away...:eek:

Who cares?? Race is brought up in anything and everything. I dont even pay any attention to it to be honest. I cant hear it anymore.

I hear you, but the same scenario happened to a black man in Texas. Not sure of the company he worked for, but he found a noose at his workstaion and reported it to his supervisor. His supervisor "investigated" the incident and found nothing. A few months later the same black man was attacked by his white co-workers who almost killed him. He then filed suit and was awarded several million dollars.

To not pay attention to these issues is almost as bad as the issue itself. These things unfortunately still occur in the good 'ole USA in 2007. :(

Racism exists all over the world not just in the USA. The problem here is the race card is pulled for everything. I didn't get the job, promotion, etc. because I am black. The race card is so overused that nobody believes it when it really is happening. Blacks who use race as an excuse are doing a disservice to other blacks who are really being discriminated against. Two of the biggest racists in this country are black, Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton.

There is just too many opportunities here to say something that will offend someone. I'm going to close this thread so we can keep our opinions to ourselves.

Exactly, its "the boy who cried wolf", and nobodys listening anymore. And I suspect we will hear more of these noose claims with the whole Jena 6 thing recently.