BALTIMORE — A Maryland auto wash/detailing facility has agreed to pay $300,000 to settle allegations by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) that it violated federal law by discriminating against Hispanic workers.
According to the EEOC, which filed a lawsuit against Maritime Autowash, now Phase 2 Investments Inc., the company kept Hispanic workers in lower-paying, minimum-wage jobs, even after years of working at the company and says Maritime, paid non-Hispanic workers more money and gave them promotions. In addition, Maritime made Hispanic workers do landscaping, painting, pool cleaning and picking up after dogs at the homes of the company manager and owner, the EEOC said.
"Unfortunately, we continue to see employers who are all too eager to employ vulnerable workers and exploit them for their willingness to work long hours for low pay," EEOC Philadelphia District Office director Jamie Williamson said in a statement.
"After enduring more than five years of EEOC investigation and litigation, these discrimination victims can finally close this chapter in their lives and move on knowing that they have made a difference for other vulnerable workers," added EEOC supervisory trial attorney Maria Salacuse.
In addition to paying the $300,000 in damages, Maritime, which is no longer in business, is enjoined from any future race or national origin discrimination, should it reopen, according to the EEOC.