Otay Water District

San Diego, CA: (Apr-07-07) Six former employees filed a lawsuit against the Otay Water District, accusing the it of racial discrimination when they lost their jobs in early 2001 with a scheme to be replaced by Latinos. The plaintiffs, Donna Bartlett-May, Clarence Cassens, James Clements, Michael Coleman, Mona Favorite-Hill, and Janice Tubiolo claimed they lost their jobs in early 2001 in what was described as a structural reorganization. Tubiolo, who served as water conservation coordinator, retired in March 2001 because she claimed district officials made it impossible for her to do her job. A state administrative law judge ruled in November 2002 that Otay wrongly dismissed the five employees, and the water district was forced to pay more than $675,000 in back pay. The former employees then sued in federal court, alleging they were told they were dismissed because of a reduction in workers, but that they were replaced by five Latino associates or former employees of board member Jaime Bonilla. In a settlement reached, the Otay Water District will pay $371,000 to the six employees. [UNION TRIBUNE: EMPLOYEES DISMISSAL]

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Published on Apr-12-07