On June 22, 2000, the plaintiff, a minority male, filed a lawsuit pursuant

to Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 as amended, 42 U.S.C. § 2000e and the Civil Rights Act of 1871, as amended, 42 U.S.C. § 1981, alleging discrimination based on race, ethnicity and gender against the New York Convention Center Operating Corporation in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York. The plaintiff, represented by private counsel, asked the Court for certification as a class and for monetary and punitive damages in the amount of $9,999,000 under Fed.R.Civ.P. 23(b)(2) and (3).

The plaintiffs, who work for the Javits Convention Center, complained that the job appointment and promotion systems favored white, male employees in terms of the amount of work and the type of work allotted. This also gave white male employees greater opportunity to be promoted to higher-paying positions. They alleged that this created a hostile work environment filled with racist and misogynistic phrases. The plaintiffs also allege that they were denied privileges of employment because of their race and gender and that they suffered retaliation when they reported this discrimination.

On August 21, 2006, the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York (Judge Deborah A. Batts), held that a settlement call be certified and that the settlement set forth the full and final terms by all parties to settle and resolve all claims that were or could have been asserted in the Litigation against NYCCOC. The settlement provides equitable relief and damages to members of the plaintiff class.

Caitlyn Clarke - 03/06/2008


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