HAMMOND | A father and his son are both suing their employer, U.S. Steel Gary Works, over alleged racial discrimination and purported white supremacist intimidation at the steel plant.
The son's allegations are more inflammatory. David Walton Jr., of Crown Point, claims in a lawsuit filed in Hammond federal court that he took an electrician's certification test in spite of being told a white electrician would not welcome a black electrician in the department. Walton took the test in September 2006. The lawsuit claims Walton was greeted at work one day in December 2006 by two co-workers who had shaved their heads. One of the co-workers "boldly" displayed to Walton tattoos of a Confederate flag and swastikas.
Walton's father, David Walton Sr., of Gary, filed his lawsuit first. Walton Sr.'s lawsuit, also filed in Hammond federal court, claims that after his son filed a union grievance, his supervisor denied Walton Sr. accommodations afforded his white co-workers. Walton Sr., a crane operator, alleges his supervisor rigged the schedule to ensure he would be punished for missing work when he had previously arranged to attend a "religious meeting." Walton Sr. is a pastor and a "devout Christian," according to the lawsuit.
U.S. Steel spokeswoman Erin DiPietro declined to comment Thursday, because the cases are still pending. U.S Steel's local attorney could not be reached for comment. Lawyers for U.S. Steel have filed a reply denying most of Walton Sr.'s allegations. U.S. Steel has not responded to the younger Walton's suit.
Walton Jr. filed his union grievance in January 2007 accusing his supervisor of discriminating against him because of his race. Walton Jr. claimed he was unfairly suspended for an incident involving the crane he operated.
The lawsuits both claim co-workers vandalized the Waltons' lockers with spray paint and motor grease. In July 2008, someone put up a white supremacist poster featuring a depiction of Adolph Hitler's SS forces, Walton Jr.'s lawsuit claims.
Both Waltons filed claims with the federal Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. EEOC found reasonable cause to believe U.S. Steel violated Walton Sr.'s rights in the time off matter. The EEOC could not establish any violation in Walton Jr.'s case.
Both lawsuits were filed in Lake Superior Court, but motions were filed to move both into federal court.
