NEW ORLEANS – Two oyster shuckers allege they were terminated by their former employer because of their race and subjected to a hostile work environment.
Charles Perkins and Edward Williams, both African-Americans, filed a complaint on June 2 in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana against 3705 Iberville LLC, doing business as The Blind Pelican, alleging that they violated the Louisiana Employment Discrimination Law.
According to the complaint, the plaintiffs allege that they suffered deprivation of rights and privileges, physical, mental and emotional pain and suffering and lost wages, salary, commissions and benefits. The plaintiffs holds 3705 Iberville LLC and Steven Seeber responsible because the Seeberallegedly used racial slurs, yelled at them and called them derogatory names in front of the staff and restaurant, discriminated and retaliated and terminated their employment on Jan. 24. They also allege they were not paid their final paycheck.
The plaintiffs request a trial by jury and seek declaration that the acts and practices of defendants are in violation of Title VII of the Civil Rights Acts, enjoining and permanently restraining these violations, compensation for all damages, attorney’s fees and costs and for any and all other relief as the court may deem equitable. They are represented by Richard M. Chopin and Justin M. Chopin of The Chopin Law Firm in New Orleans.
U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana Case number 2:16-cv-08033