Former Heiner's work claims discrimination

HUNTINGTON - A Cabell County woman is suing a local bakery for $74,000, claiming she was discriminated against while working at the factory.

Charlotte A. Ross filed a suit Nov. 15 in Cabell Circuit Court against Heiner's Bakery.

According to the suit, Ross, who is black, started working at Heiner's as a part-time worker in April 2003.

In October 2005, Ross was promoted to full-time, which resulted in a substantial increase in pay. By the time of her termination, she was earning $13.03 an hour.

According to the suit, Ross was accused of taking an "illegal" break Dec. 8, 2005, and suspended her from work without pay.

Ross claims she did not take an "illegal" break and followed the proper procedure of notifying a supervisor before a break.

According to the suit, Ross claims she was discriminated against because of her race and gender.

Ross seeks damages for the loss of her full-time job, loss of income and other benefits, emotional pain and suffering, mental anguish, humiliation, loss of enjoyment of life and other past present and future pecuniary losses.

She seeks to be reinstates her to full-time status, and payment of wagers during the period from the date she was terminated through the date of reinstatement.

Ross, through attorney Hoyt E. Glaser, seeks compensatory and punitive damages in the amount of $74,000.

The case has been assigned to Judge David M. Pancake.

Cabell Circuit Court case number 07-C-1022