BOSTON — A Latino plaintiff alleges he faced discrimination and retaliation while working for the City of Boston's Public Works Department.
Hector Mejias filed a complaint June 2 in Suffolk County Superior Court against the City of Boston, Norman Parks, Michael Brohel and Daniel Nee alleging discrimination.
Mejias, according to his complaint, began working for the City of Boston in 1999. He claims that prior to 2019, he worked in the Department of Public Works and was bypassed for multiple promotions within the department due to his race. He filed a charge of discrimination in September of 2010, according to the suit, and a probable cause finding was found in October of 2011.
Mejias claims that in October of 2014, he finally received a promotion and was appointed acting supervisor after his supervisor, a white male, was found consuming alcohol on the job. He claims while acting supervisor, he was not given "temporary out of grade status" or additional pay. Mejias further claims that after filing a grievance through his union based on the compensation issue, he was falsely accused of using demeaning language against another employee without a proper investigation and placed on administrative leave.
He alleges a white male replaced him and was immediately given TOG status and a pay increase. He also alleges he was purposely selected for random drug and alcohol testing at an "inordinately high rate" and when he raised concerns over the lack of Hispanic/Latino managers was told if he reported the issue, he would be on the "shit list."
Mejias seeks monetary relief, interest, trial by jury and all other just relief. He is represented by John Koury and Cromwell Johnson of The Upper Charles Law Group LLC in Lexington.