*Last year, the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) filed a lawsuit against Asphalt Paving Systems, Inc. (APS), alleging race-based discrimination and harassment of 12 Black employees and others.
JD Supra reported in 2023 that the EEOC claimed African American employees faced a hostile work environment at the company’s Florida location, including racial slurs and demeaning conditions, such as being denied breaks and restroom access. APS was also accused of hindering African American employees’ job prospects by contacting future employers to prevent their hiring.
According to the lawsuit, the plaintiffs were called the “N-word” and “boy”
“The allegations in this case are deeply disturbing and illustrate the unfortunate reality that, 60 years after Title VII was enacted, toxic racial discrimination still plagues many workplaces in Florida,” said EEOC Regional Attorney Robert E. Weisberg.
The company’s actions violated Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. As a result, Asphalt Paving Systems will pay $1.25 million to settle a lawsuit, according to Atlanta Black Star.
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The court docs state that APS has 30 days to pay the “compensatory damages” to 12 of its former Black employees in the case: Michael Cheaves, Anthony Clemons, David Cooper, Freddrick Cooper, Broderick Curney, Olusoga Davis, Kendall Gadson, Joseph Haynes, Alvin Matooram, Willie Moore III, David Whipper, Jack Cornell Youmans, Deron Peterson, John Stephens and David Belvin, per Atlanta Black Star.
According to the lawsuit, one white foreman, Anthony Buchholz, used the “N-word frequently in front of Curney,” the lawsuit stated. “Curney objected to Buchholz’s direct use of the N-word, but Buchholz continued to use it. After Curney’s objections, Buchholz then came to a job site with a friend and yelled ‘I ain’t gonna ever run from a Black N—r’ at Curney.”
Per JD Supra, Tampa Field Office Director Tamra S. Schweiberger said, “The EEOC’s investigation indicated that APS facilitated a hostile work environment filled with racist comments and demeaning treatment towards its African American employees. This type of treatment cannot be tolerated, and the EEOC will vigorously prosecute Title VII violations to protect the rights of Black workers.”
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