Woman sues Texas Workforce over unemployment benefits

GALVESTON - A Galveston County woman has filed suit against her former employer and the Texas Workforce Commission over unemployment benefits.

Angie Smith claims that she is qualified to receive benefits because of a reduction in her pay made by RK Resources and TEI Staffing which led to her involuntary separation from her employment last year.

Her suit was filed May 12 in Galveston County District Court.

Smith was employed as a manager for RK Resources from March 2007 to June 2009.

The plaintiff learned a month prior to leaving her position that her salary was going to be reduced by 20 percent, which she argues that she and her family could not afford.

She also found out that the Shared Work Program from which she could claim her unemployment benefits might hinder her right to any other future compensation.

"As a result, the plaintiff found it 'urgent, compelling, and necessary' to make the separation from her employment involuntary," the original petition says.

Smith sought unemployment compensation in early July 2009. TWF deemed her qualified to be awarded, however, retracted the ruling after RK Resources appealed the decision.

Attorney Anthony P. Griffin of Galveston is representing the plaintiff, and Galveston County 405th District Judge Wayne Mallia is presiding over the case.

Case No. 10-cv-1271