Federal Lawsuit Filed Against Techweld International of Troy for Race Discrimination

SOUTHFIELD, Mich., June 6 -- Sommers Schwartz, P.C., announces that a lawsuit was filed in United States District Court, Eastern District of Michigan, today, June 6, 2006, on behalf of plaintiffs, Bernard Heath and Wallace Washburn, against Techweld International of Troy, Michigan.

Details

WHAT: Plaintiffs are claiming that a Troy, Michigan company that produces parts for the automotive industry, known as Techweld International, is in violation of race discrimination. Plaintiff Heath is African American, and plaintiff Washburn is Caucasian. Plaintiff Washburn was told that Techweld International had a policy against hiring African-American employees, and that the initials NN (standing for "No Niggers") were to be placed on applications submitted by African Americans. The following counts have been filed in this U.S. District Court lawsuit: Violation of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1984, and violation of the Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act, against Techweld International.

WHO: Plaintiff, Bernard Heath, a resident of Macomb County, and a former applicant of Techweld International of Troy, who was refused a job interview, and ultimate hiring, for a position for which he was qualified, because he was African American. Plaintiff, Wallace Washburn, of Hazel Park, former employee of Techweld International of Troy, was terminated without justification after opposing Techweld's discriminatory policies.

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NOTE TO EDITORS: AVAILABLE FOR INTERVIEWS: * Kevin J. Stoops, Attorney for Plaintiff, Sommers Schwartz, P.C. * Bernard Heath, Plaintiff * Wallace Washburn, Plaintiff