Seven women join discrimination suits targeting Boeing

ST. LOUIS -- Seven current or former female workers at Boeing's St. Louis plant filed suit against the company in federal court Wednesday, claiming the aerospace giant denied them promotions, equal pay and other opportunities because they were women.

The discrimination suit, similar to one filed in October in Seattle, joined two others filed Wednesday in California and Kansas. All seek class-action status.

Lawyers for the plaintiffs said the women would not comment on the lawsuits.

Ken Mercer, a Boeing spokesman in Chicago, said the company is reviewing the lawsuits and had no immediate comment. But in general, he said, "Boeing is absolutely committed to equal opportunity for all of its employees and does not tolerate discrimination of any kind."

Barb Anderson, a spokeswoman at Boeing's St. Louis plant, did not immediately return a call seeking comment.

Jeff Sprung, a lawyer for the plaintiffs, said "significant" statistical evidence proves Boeing has systematically kept vast numbers of female employees in lower-paying jobs, unfairly promoted men over women, denied women overtime and training opportunities, and assigned them to less-favorable shifts and work areas.

The lawsuits ask for an order to stop discriminatory actions, and seek back pay and compensatory and punitive damages. Among the Missouri allegations:

Terri Wertz, who has worked for 13 years at the St. Louis plant, contends she received lower pay raises after taking maternity leave than before her leave.

Rosie Turner claims men were hired for jobs identical to hers but at higher salaries and were promoted over her into higher job grade levels. Turner states she trained "rookie" males who were then promoted above her.

Beneva Rimson and others claimed they were kept in job assignments that hurt their evaluations and career opportunities.