Texas Employment Discrimination Lawsuit Filed Against Pilgrim’s Pride

Austin Oil and Gas Attorney, Gregory D. Jordan

Austin, TX (Law Firm Newswire) November 18, 2015 – An employment discrimination lawsuit has been filed against chicken producer Pilgrim’s Pride.

Carl R. Titus, a six-year employee of the company, filed a six-count lawsuit July 10 in U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Texas, Texarkana Division. The lawsuit alleges hostile work environment, color discrimination, race discrimination, disparate impact employment discrimination, disparate treatment employment discrimination, retaliation and failure to promote. The lawsuit cites the U.S. Equal Opportunity Commission and the Texas Commission on Human Rights Act.

“Racial discrimination in employment is prohibited by both U.S. and Texas law,” said Gregory D. Jordan, an Austin employment attorney with the Law Offices of Gregory D. Jordan. “Mr. Titus and any other aggrieved employee have a right to have his or her claims heard in a court of law . . . employees and employers should both understand by now that racial discrimination has no place in our society.”

The lawsuit alleges that Titus, who is African-American, was hired by Pilgrim’s Pride in 2009 and worked as a shop attendant at the company’s location in Mount Pleasant, Texas. Titus alleges that he experienced numerous discriminatory actions in recent years, including reduction of hours, racial comments, failing to pay or promote him commensurate with his counterparts, and negatively changing his working conditions. Titus alleges that he asked for a promotion on numerous occasions, but was refused, while less-qualified non-black employees were promoted above him. According to the lawsuit, no explanation was ever given as to why non-black workers with less education, experience and seniority than Titus were given promotions instead of him.

Pilgrim’s Pride is the largest chicken producer in the United States. Founded by the Pilgrim family in Pittsburg, Texas, the company is now 75 percent owned by the Brazilian firm JBS.

The lawsuit requests a jury trial, punitive damages of $75,000, expenses and attorney fees.