NEW ORLEANS – A father and son have filed suit against three construction companies alleging they subjected them to racial and wage discrimination as well as wrongfully terminated their employment.
Michael Bean Sr. and Michael Bean Jr. filed a lawsuit against Fenton Excavating & Construction, Inc., Plus Concrete, Inc., Nationwide Construction Group, Craig Fenton, and their insurers in the Orleans Parish Central District Court on Sept. 11.
The plaintiffs, both African-American cement finishers, claim to have been paid less than their Hispanic co-workers working in the same capacity. They assert they were hired as cement finishers, but worked as laborers and were not given as many hours as Hispanic co-workers and wrongfully terminated them in violation of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
The Beans also claim that they were not paid in a timely manner following their termination in violation of the Louisiana Wage Payment Act.
The defendants are accused of violating the 14th amendment of the U.S. constitution, violating Louisiana Wage Pay Act, wrongful termination, violation of the Equal Pay Act, creating a hostile work environment, harassment of petitioners and intentional infliction of emotional distress on petitioners.
The plaintiffs are seeking compensation for all damages including mental anguish, bad credit, and prevention from transacting other business affairs.
Counsel for the plaintiff is David L. Coleman, II of the New Orleans-based Law Office of David L. Coleman, II.
This case has been assigned to Division A Judge Tiffany G. Chase.
Case no 2012-08685.