ST. LOUIS — A thru freight engineer is suing a railway company and its managers, citing alleged discrimination and retaliation.
David Lawson filed a complaint in the St. Louis 22nd Judicial Circuit Court against Union Pacific Railroad Co., Gary E. Rolfes and Kelli K. Dunn, alleging that the defendants violated the Missouri Human Rights Act (MHRA).
According to the complaint, the plaintiff alleges that between April 19, 2004, and Aug. 3, 2015, he was subjected to improper discipline due to his association with his disabled wife. He claims requests for intermittent leave to care for his wife took place months before the approval, he was charged with longer periods of absences than appropriate when he missed work and was charged with multiple absences for a single incident. He claims he was also suspended when he complained of unfair treatment and was later terminated from employment.
The plaintiff holds the defendants responsible because they allegedly discriminated against the plaintiff due to his association with his disabled wife, retaliated in the form of suspension and termination when he complained about unfair treatment and had reckless disregard of the plaintiff's right as an employee and individual.
The plaintiff requests a trial by jury and seeks judgment in an amount to exceed $25,000 for lost wages, benefits of employment, pre-judgment interest, punitive damages, attorney's fees, costs and other relief the court deems just and proper. He is represented by Jonathan C. Berns of Dobson, Goldberg, Berns & Rich LLP in St. Louis.
St. Louis 22nd Judicial Circuit Court case number 1722-CC10881