Nine black employees of a printing ink supply firm in Rockdale have filed suit in Federal District Court in Chicago accusing the firm of discrimination for allegedly failing to remove racially offensive symbols placed by other employees in work areas.
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The suit, filed on behalf of the nine plaintiffs by Joliet attorneys Bobbi N. Petrungaro and Christian G. Spesia, contends that the company, among other things, failed to erase the letters KKK from work spaces or remove nooses hung in conspicuous places.
The nine men also accuse Apollo Colors Inc. of subjecting them to unfair disciplinary actions and contend they were unfairly treated in terms of pay raises and job transfers.
Two plaintiffs have left the company, and one allegedly was fired for missing work because of an alleged medical condition.
Apollo officials declined to comment on the suit, saying that it was under review. But Thomas Rogers, the company’s chief executive officer, contends the company has a long-standing promotion and pay-increase policy based on merit, regardless of a person’s race. Because the company hires a cross-section of people, racial tensions within the work force do occur from time to time, Rogers added, but whenever they occur the company takes swift action.