Burgos
A Hispanic employee is suing his employer for racial discrimination after his supervisor referred to him as "wetback" and other derogatory names.
Aurelio Rodriguez filed suit against Schindler Elevator Corp. on May 24 in federal court in New Orleans.
Rodriguez began working for Schindler in Harahan in 2005 and was terminated in 2008.
He states he was fired because of his race/national original and because of complaints of racism within Schindler.
The defendant is accused of discrimination and creating a hostile work environment against Rodriguez because of his race, Hispanic and national origin. Schindler is also accused of failing to employ, promote, pay and treat Rodriquez equal to non-Hispanics, repeatedly sending him home to limit his opportunities, repeatedly transferring him to unfavorable environments to persuade him to quit, asking him to cut grass then telling him that he was not as good as others, repeatedly making suggestions that he should return to his native country and repeatedly calling him "wetback" and "spic" and encouraging an environment that promotes discrimination and harassment.
The plaintiff is seeking damages for back pay, interest, front pay, pecuniary losses, job search expenses, retirement benefits, medical insurance premiums, medical expenses, medical expenses, emotional pain, suffering, inconvenience, loss of enjoyment of life, reduction in the standard of living, strain on his relationship, lowered self-esteem, humiliation, compensatory damages, attorney's fees and court costs.
Rodriguez is represented by Cesar R. Burgos and Robert B. Evans III of Burgos & Evans in New Orleans. A jury trial is requested.
U.S. District Judge Sarah S. Vance is assigned to the case.
Case No. 2:11-cv-01218