Suit: Female truck driver subjected to unfair hiring practices

HOUSTON - Alleging Quality Hot Mix Inc. and Quality Hot Mix Trucking Inc. discriminated against her when she applied for a job because of her gender, Vickie Botkin has filed a lawsuit.

Recent court papers filed Dec. 5 in the Houston Division of the Southern District of Texas claim the defendants passed Botkin over for male applicants though she possessed the qualifications for a licensed commercial truck driver position.

The suit shows the plaintiff first applied for the position in May 2009, stating she had a valid Texas commercial driver's license.

She claims she inquired about openings nine times between December 2009 and February 2011, and was informed that her application was "at the top of the list" and that she would be contacted for the next open position, according to the suit.

Botkin asserts the defendants continued to seek other applicants -- specifically men -- whom they hired despite notifying the plaintiff that there were no open positions.

According to the original petition, the general manager in El Campo said "he would never hire a female applicant for the companies' truck driver positions."

The plaintiff was eventually hired earlier this year.

Meanwhile, an investigation revealed that the defendants committed a Title VII violation.

A jury trial is requested.

Attorney R. Scott Cook with The Cook Law Firm in Austin is representing Botkin.

Case No. 4:12-CV-3536