BENTON – A Saline County man is suing a Cutler trucking and distribution company, alleging racial discrimination, a hostile work environment and retaliation.
Tyree Neal Sr. filed a lawsuit Dec. 23 in U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Illinois against Southern Illinois Motor Xpress Inc, alleging violations of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Illinois Human Rights Act.
The complaint states Neal, a black male, began working for Motor Xpress as a truck driver in March 2014. The suit says the defendant unlawfully discriminated against him based on race, failed to take action to correct the situation and retaliated against the plaintiff for reporting the discrimination.
The complaint says Neal witnessed and experienced acts of racially motivated harassment, discrimination and a hostile work environment. The suit says Neal sustained disparate treatment with respect to discipline, reprimands and warnings, promotions and work assignments.
Even though the plaintiff complained to management about the racial slurs, the suit says, the defendant failed to correct the situation and non-black employees were not subject to such conduct.
In response to Neal's complaints, the suit says, the defendant reassigned the plaintiff, resulting in a reduction to his income. He eventually left the defendant's employ in August 2014 as a result of the intolerable working conditions, the suit says.
Neal seeks a jury trial, compensation for past and future losses, the awarding of all wages, benefits and compensation lost due to the defendant's unlawful conduct, plus punitive damages, attorney fees and court costs. He is represented by attorneys James G. Nowogrocki and Richard D. Worth of Weiss Attorneys at Law PC of St. Louis.
U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Illinois case number 15-cv-01412