BEAUMONT — An African-American man is suing Union Pacific, alleging a hostile work environment and racial discrimination.
Mark J. Johnson of Longview filed a lawsuit Jan. 30 in U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas against Union Pacific Railroad Company, alleging violation of Title VII of the 1964 Civil Rights Act.
According to the complaint, as a direct and proximate result of Union Pacific's willful discrimination, Johnson, who began working for the defendant in 2010 as a conductor trainee, has suffered lost wages and fringe benefits, plus mental and emotional distress.
The plaintiff alleges Union Pacific discriminated against him on the basis of his race, with respect to the terms, conditions and privileges of his employment and wrongfully created a hostile and abusive work environment.
Johnson seeks trial by jury, compensatory and punitive damages, attorney fees and court costs and all other appropriate relief. He is represented by attorneys C. Kiel Garella of Garella Law PC in Charlotte, North Carolina, and by Jeff R. Dingwall of Eight & Sand in San Diego.
U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas Case number 6:17-cv-00061