HOUSTON—Dorothy Cooper has filed suit against PrimeWay FCU here, claiming race, gender and age discrimination were factors in denying her a role with the executive management team.
According to the complaint, Cooper was hired by the defendant in 1975 as a loan interviewer and was awarded numerous promotions, eventually, in 1983, becoming vice president of operations, which included supervision over five other branch locations and 40 employees, the Southeast Texas Record reported. In the suit, Cooper says she was promoted to SVP-operations in 1991 and her role was expanded into SVP-member services in 2001.
The Southeast Texas Record quoted the complaint as stating the position was allegedly terminated so she was moved to SVP-compliance and security in 2012, and, though the job included more duties and responsibilities, her annual compensation was not increased. Cooper further alleged that, similarly, in 2013, her role was expanded to SVP-compliance, security and facilities, but her compensation was not increased.
The lawsuit states that in 2010, the defendant hired as its president and CEO Annette Zimmerman, who was, at the time, SVP-member services, the allegedly eliminated role Cooper was removed from. The Southeast Texas Record reported that the complaint states Zimmerman’s reorganization created an “executive management team,” from which Cooper was excluded, making her ineligible for additional financial benefits and privileges, including a deferred compensation plan. Cooper is alleging in the suit that other senior management personnel similarly situated to herself were included.
According to the Southeast Texas Record, Cooper, a 62-year-old African-American woman, argues the decision to exclude her from the executive management team was based upon her age, race and gender. PrimeWay is accused of discrimination.
Cooper seeks compensatory, liquidated and punitive, damages, including back pay, front pay, attorney fees and costs of suit. She is represented by attorney David K. Mestemaker of Mestemaker, Straub and Zumwalt in Houston.
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