The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission filed suit against Walgreens claiming it racially discriminated against black management employees and pharmacists by denying them promotions.
Filed in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Illinois, the commission claims that since at least Jan. 1, 2001, Walgreens has engaged in unlawful employment practices nationwide.
"More than thirty days prior to the institution of this lawsuit, Johnny Tucker, Pearle Phillips and over twenty other employees filed charges with the Commission alleging violations of Title VII by Walgreens," the complaint states.
The suit also alleges that Walgreens has engaged in a pattern and practice of race discrimination by making store assignments to black management trainees, managers, and pharmacists because of their race.
The commission also alleges Walgreens has engaged in a pattern and practice of race discrimination by denying promotions to black employees who have applied for or have been in the Retail Career Path and the Pharmacy Career Path because of their race.
"The effect of the practices complained of has been to deprive Charging Parties and other African-American employees of equal employment opportunities and otherwise adversely affecting their status as employees because of their race," the complaint states.
The complaint continues, "The unlawful employment practices complained of...are and were done with malice or reckless indifference to the federally protected rights of Charging Parties and other African-American employees."
The Commission requests that District Judge Michael Reagan:
losses resulting from the unlawful employment practices including compensation for emotional pain, suffering, inconvenience, loss of enjoyment of life, and humiliation, in amounts to be determined at trial.
The commission is represented by Ronald Cooper, James Lee, Gwen Reams and by consent, Robert Johnson.