EEOC Determines Discrimination at Glenn Superior Court

Monday, November 05, 2007

WILLOWS - After nearly two and a half years, what UPEC believed amounted to discrimination against an employee of the Glenn Superior Court, a determination has finally been made by the United States Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). In a determination letter issued last week, the EEOC found that based upon the evidence, there is reasonalble cause to believe that the Respondent, Glenn County Superior Court discriminated against the Charging Party, Norma Raygoza, based on her national origin, Hispanic. UPEC Business Manager Chris Darker filed a grievance in April 2005 against the Court for not promoting Raygoza in the same manner and time frame as non-hispanic employees. 

In fact, employees less qualified than Raygoza were being promoted over her. After exhausting the grievance procedure and being denied a hearing, the union decided to recommend the case to the EEOC.
“I can’t help but have mixed emotions when I read this determination letter, said Darker. On one hand you are glad that the determination proved we were right while on the other we are saddened it proved we were right. I am angry about this whole situation and that those appointed in positions of trust and leadership allow racial discrimination and bigotry to exist in their command.”
Raygoza was recently promoted a few months ago to the position the union argued she should have had in 2005. Norma Raygoza is please with the EEOC determination and is looking forward to the conciliation process.