The Division of Justice on Friday introduced a lawsuit in opposition to the Mississippi state Senate for discriminating in opposition to a former Black staffer.
The girl, a former employees lawyer within the state’s Legislative Providers Workplace, was paid about half of what her white counterparts have been paid.
The Justice Division’s declare argues the state senate violated Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which prohibits racial discrimination in compensation, amongst different issues.
“Discriminatory employment practices, like paying a Black employee less than their white colleagues for the same work, are not only unfair, they are unlawful,” mentioned Kristen Clarke, assistant lawyer basic of the Justice Division’s Civil Rights Division.
“This lawsuit makes clear that race-based pay discrimination will not be tolerated in our economy. Our work to eliminate race-based pay disparities is about promoting compliance with the law and promoting equity and fairness for all workers.”
When Kristie Metcalfe was employed by the Mississippi state Senate in 2011, she was the primary Black individual to be employed in 34 years.
However in response to the DOJ’s criticism, Metcalfe was provided a beginning wage of $55,000 — considerably lower than white hires and the bottom beginning wage in 15 years.
In keeping with the lawsuit, Metcalfe’s beginning wage was 60 p.c of what the subsequent closest white lawyer’s wage was. The best wage was greater than $121,000.
The lawsuit argues Metcalfe was paid much less though she was being employed to do “substantially the same as that of her white colleagues.”
In January 2012, Metcalfe’s colleagues got a elevate, however she was not.
When one other LSO with no earlier expertise was employed for a similar place Metcalfe at present labored, they have been provided a atarting wage of $101,500.
When Metcalfe complained and demanded a elevate, the Senate denied her request. She resigned shortly thereafter.
The DOJ is in search of again pay and compensatory damages for Metcalfe, in addition to injunctive and different acceptable aid.
