(WBBM NEWSRADIO) – A group of current and former employees of Peoples Gas have filed a lawsuit claiming they were discriminated against because they are Black – allegations the utility denies.
The 11 plaintiffs claim they were subjected to racial slurs; assigned to work in high-crime areas where five of them were robbed at gunpoint and were not given promotions or higher pay like their white counterparts.
The federal lawsuit claims leaders would make offensive remarks about cracking the whip. In one instance, a crew led by a white supervisor damaged a sewer pipe causing a backup. Rather than have that crew clean it up, a crew with a Black leader was given the assignment, the suit alleges.
Peoples Gas adamantly denies the allegations and says the company provides a workplace with equal opportunities for all employees.
Listen to our new podcast Looped In: Chicago
Listen to WBBM Newsradio now on Audacy!
Sign up and follow WBBM Newsradio
Facebook | Twitter | Instagram