UNION RALLY DRAWS OVER 150 SUPPORTERS
Friday, July 18, 2008
WILLOWS , CA – The Union that represents Glenn County Superior Court employees announced today that a law suit has been filed against the Court in Federal District Court in Eastern Sacramento, California. Chris Darker, Business Manager for the United Public Employees of California, Local 792 made the announcement at a Union Solidarity Rally held in Willows, California on Monday, July 14, 2008.
The EEOC conducted an extensive investigation of the Glenn County Superior Court in Willows, California and determined that court administration had failed to promote its employee, Norma Raygoza, a Hispanic female, based upon her race in 2005. Following the determination by the EEOC, court administration finally promoted Ragoza from a Court Clerk II to a Court Clerk III in August 2007. “Norma is an excellent employee who, because of her race, was denied a promotion for nearly two and one-half years longer than her fellow Caucasian workers”, stated Darker. Ragoza has worked for the court since February 2000.
The Union and Raygoza, assisted by EEOC representatives, met with court administration in January 2008 in an attempt to settle issues such as lost wages and benefits. The court refused to make any settlement and continued to deny any wrongdoing. “The lack of any settlement offer by the
Court clearly shows their contempt for the law and total disrespect for those of Hispanic origin”, stated Darker.
The United States Department of Justice issued a “Right to Sue” letter to Norma Raygoza in April 2008 giving her 90 days to file an action against the Glenn Courts. Raygoza has received the backing of her labor union and retained the Law Firm of Sacramento attorney Paul Q. Goyette who filed the suit in the Federal District Court for Eastern Sacramento County, California today.
The suit is filed against the Glenn County Superior Court, Assistant Court Executive Officer Janelle Bartlett and Chief Court Executive Officer Tina Burkhart. The complaint alleges the defendants discriminated and retaliated against Norma Raygoza, specifically: 1. Discrimination Violation of Title VII (42 U.S.C. §2000, et seq.); 2. Discrimination Violation of FEHA (Gov. Code § 12940, et seq.): 3. Retaliation in Violation of Title VII (42. U.S.C. § 2000, et seq.); 4. Retaliation in Violation of FEHA (Gov. Code § 12940, et seq.)
“Our Union will not stand for racism in the workplace and as a union we will go the extra mile to ensure our members are protected against these bigots and see that justice is served. As American Citizens we have protections under the United States Constitution”, stated Darker in front of Raygoza supporters.