PONTOON BEACH -- A female truck driver is suing her former employer for allegedly terminating her after she endured sexual harassment and an unfair rate of pay.
Michelle Lee Cordic filed the complaint in Madison County Circuit Court against E.J.A Trucking, which is headquartered in St. Louis but has a facility in Pontoon Beach. She makes allegations under Illinois labor laws and the Fair Labor Standards Act.
An representative of E.J.A. Trucking who wished to remain anonymous said the company had not yet received any notice of the lawsuit.
Cordic alleges she worked for the defendant for approximately eight months last year as a driver from April to November. Cordic allegedly drove a semi-truck for the defendant, which was allegedly under the control of E.J.A. Trucking. During her employment, she alleges she was the victim of sexual harassment, a hostile work environment, verbal abuse, discrimination, and defamation of character.
She alleges a series of incidents back up her allegations against the company.
At the outset of her employment, Cordic alleges she had as much experience as the other drivers and was verbally promised the same rate of pay as her male colleagues. However, she alleges her pay was not equal.
Cordic alleges she reported the actions to the company's head office before she was terminated from her employment.
She alleges she was short-changed in her final paycheck, she was terminated for no reason, there was misclassification of her employment status, and that she has suffered emotional trauma.
Cordic also claims she lost wages and will continue to lose wages.
Her statement of claim was filed with a named attorney attached.
Madison County Circuit Court case number 19-L-1018