Gratton V. United Parcel Service Inc.

Case Background

On October 18, 2022, Plaintiff Tahvio Gratton filed a Racial Discrimination lawsuit in the District Court of Washington Eastern at Yakima (Case number: 1:22cv3149). Judge Thomas O. Rice presided over the case.

Cause

Tahvio Gratton, an African American man, worked as a Cover Driver and Delivery Driver for United Parcel Service (UPS) in Yakima, Washington, from September 2016 to October 2021. From the start of his employment at the Yakima UPS center in January 2018, Gratton experienced racial discrimination and unfair treatment from managers. On-Road Supervisor Matt Fromherz and Center Manager Erik Loomis often gave Gratton fewer work opportunities compared to white drivers. They frequently laid him off when work was available, creating a hostile work environment. In February 2018, Fromherz denied Gratton a route without justification, stating that Gratton "didn't come and ask me like a man," an example of disparate treatment. In April 2018, during a ride-along, Supervisor Sam O'Rourke repeatedly called Gratton "boy" and used other demeaning language, despite Gratton's objections to the racist terminology. O'Rourke continued this behavior, even in front of customers. When Gratton reported the incident to Center Manager Loomis, Loomis dismissed his concerns, saying, "That's just how he talks," further contributing to the hostile work environment. UPS managers retaliated against Gratton for filing complaints about discriminatory treatment. They assigned him to an undesirable "mall route," purposely overloaded his deliveries, and criticized him for taking too long to complete the extended route.