CWS 3.0: August 22, 2012

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Court Dismisses Worker’s Suit Against Buyer, Supplier

A federal lawsuit against Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. and staffing firm Qualitech Maintenance Inc. filed by a worker in Texas has been dismissed at the request of the plaintiff, according to court documents.

Kenan Alexander had argued in the lawsuit there was a racially hostile environment and that race played a factor in him not being hired as a full-time employee, according to court documents. Alexander had found a racist figurine inside his locker on May 31, 2011, according to the lawsuit. Goodyear conducted an investigation, but the people responsible were not found.

The federal lawsuit was dismissed at the behest of the plaintiff’s side shortly after Goodyear and the staffing firm filed answers to the complaint in the case. The suit was dismissed with prejudice, meaning it cannot be refiled.

A Goodyear spokesman said the dismissal was not the result of any kind of settlement among the parties and was initiated by the plaintiff.

A filing in the matter had initially been made with the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission prior to the federal lawsuit, but it had been dismissed by that agency, according to Goodyear. The company reported it has a “zero tolerance” policy that prohibits any form of racial harassment. The policy specifically protects and extends to contract workers.

The attorney for Alexander could not be reached for comment by press time.

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