[nfbmi-talk] blind group's suit thrown out

[joe harcz Comcast]

This isn't over though and I'll write more on this later tonight....

Joe
Blind group's suit tossed out

 

By Roseann Moring

 

A federal judge has thrown out a lawsuit alleging that a company set up to employ blind workers favored sighted workers for promotions and targeted the

blind when laying people off.

 

Judge Joseph Bataillon ruled last week that the National Federation of the Blind of Nebraska lacked standing to sue Outlook Nebraska Inc.

 

The federation had alleged in its lawsuit that Outlook hired only sighted workers for managerial positions, made too few accommodations for blind workers

to use some machines and gave sighted workers better pay and benefits.

 

Outlook's chief executive officer, Eric Stueckarath, denied the allegations after the lawsuit was filed last year.

 

Three former employees also have filed similar but separate suits against the company. Glen Moss, Joseph Hernandez Jr. and Donald Fidone allege they were

fired in retaliation for complaining about the conditions described in the previous lawsuit.

 

"Moss advocated for himself and other blind workers to improve conditions at (Outlook)," says his lawsuit. "(The company) treated Plaintiff Moss differently

and ultimately terminated his employment in retaliation for his advocacy."

 

The other suits detail similar allegations.

 

Moss's trial is scheduled for July 13. Hernandez's trial is tentatively set for June, and Fidone's had yet to be scheduled.

 

The lawyer for the National Federation of the Blind of Nebraska and all three former employees did not return calls or emails seeking comment.

 

Contact the writer:

 

402-444-1084, roseann.moring at owh.com

 

http://www.omaha.com/article/20111020/NEWS97/710209934