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PRESS RELEASE
9-27-12
EEOC Sues MBM Corporation of Mason City for Race Discrimination
Giant Food Distributor Failed to Remove Racist Imagery Even After Complaints, Federal Agency Charges
MASON CITY, Iowa - The MBM Corporation's food distribution facility in Mason City, Iowa, one of many operated by the company, violated the law when company officials failed to remove racist graffiti from the men's room even after receiving a complaint, the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) charged in a lawsuit it filed in federal court on Sept. 25. (EEOC v. MBM Corporation, N. District Iowa No. 3:12-cv-03069-MWB, D. Judge Bennet.)
According to the allegations of EEOC's lawsuit, racist graffiti appeared in the men's room at the Mason City facility in mid-May 2011. The EEOC alleges that an employee complained to his supervisor about the graffiti and yet it remained visible for at least three months, even though MBM Corp. supervisors frequented the restroom.
Such alleged conduct violates Title VII of the Civil Rights Act. The EEOC attempted to reach a voluntary settlement through its statutory conciliation process before filing suit in U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Iowa, Civil Action No. 12-cv-3069. The EEOC is seeking injunctive relief to prevent future discrimination, as well as compensatory and punitive damages.
The EEOC is responsible for enforcing federal laws prohibiting employment discrimination. The EEOC's Chicago District Office is responsible for processing discrimination charges, administrative enforcement, and the conduct of agency litigation in Illinois, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Iowa and North and South Dakota, with Area Offices in Milwaukee and Minneapolis. Further information about the EEOC is available on its website at www.eeoc.gov.