Deets v. Massman Constr. Co., No. 15-1411 (7th Cir. 2016)
Annotate this CaseDeets, a white construction worker, worked for MTA on a federally assisted project to build a bridge (the Stan Musial Veteran’s Memorial Bridge) across the Mississippi River. MTA’s collective bargaining agreement defined seniority for purposes of layoffs and recalls. The Missouri Department of Transportation’s contract with MTA contained federally mandated goals for participation by minorities (14.7%) and women (6.9%) on the project. Deets claimed racial discrimination under Title VII, 42 U.S.C. 2000e–2, and 42 U.S.C. 1981, asserting that he was laid off because management was concerned about meeting minority participation goals. The Seventh Circuit reversed summary judgment for the defendants, finding material disputes concerning the basis for the layoff: statements to Deets about “minority numbers” and the immediate hiring of a replacement.
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