Baytown woman claims termination from warehouse job due to age, gender

HOUSTON - After she was fired from Americold Logistics LLC, allegedly because of her age and gender, Baytown resident Rebecca O'Neill seeks damages.

A lawsuit filed Feb. 8 in the Houston Division of the Southern District of Texas claims the defendant dismissed O'Neill due to a reduction in force, however she was the lone worker affected.

The defendant hired O'Neill on Dec. 20, 1990, to a warehouse supervisor position at its facility in La Porte.

According to the suit, the plaintiff experienced "discriminatory and harassing" treatment, even being told on numerous times that "a warehouse is no place for a woman."

On March 30, 2012, the company fired O'Neill, who was age 58 at the time.

She claims the Americold Logistics human resources manager told her that she was no longer needed because her position was being phased out, however, a man 20 years her junior replaced her, the suit alleges.

At the time of her termination, O'Neill was one of only two female workers among more than 100 employees at the facility.

"The plaintiff also suffered humiliation, embarrassment and emotional distress as a direct result of the gender discrimination the defendant subjected her to," the original petition says.

A jury trial is requested.

Attorney Francisco Caycedo with Caycedo Law PC in Sugar Land is representing O'Neill.

Case No. 4:13-CV-333