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L.I. Workers To Sue Over Noose Found In Workplace

Former Employees: Hush Money Offer Was An Insult

FARMINGDALE (CBS) ― On Tuesday night more than a dozen warehouse employees prepared to file a federal lawsuit against a Long Island company.

They claim they were subjected to a heinous act of hate, when a noose was left hanging.

The hangman's noose and all its ugly symbolism caused searing pain for the 14 African American employees of a cable technology company.

"Seeing a noose hanging up was totally demoralizing, degrading, horrible," said whistle-blower James Jackson.

It has been one year since Jackson blew the whistle on his white boss, who has now been fired, along with a white plant supervisor, in a Farmingdale warehouse operated by 180 Connect Inc.

When asked if his manager made a joke of the noose, former employee Shomari Houston said, "Yes, he said, 'think I should hang James up there, or Russell,' and laughed."

Following an investigation, the Equal Opportunity Employment Commission found that as a result of the noose hanging in the workplace for a week, three years of sensitivity training would be required for managers, along with monetary compensation for the black workers subjected to the emotional distress. But on Tuesday the workers said they saw the offer of money as something else.

"By trying to buy the silence, silence people, throw some money at 'em," former employee Claude Ballard said. "We didn't see an offer, we wanted an apology."

"These clients will not be silenced," attorney James Vagnini said. "They will not be bought off. The company has made illusions to if we offer them a couple thousand dollars they'll go away and shut up."

Officials at 180 Connect are outraged.

"(The lawsuit is) company blackmail. … (The plaintiffs' lawyer is) using the media to wage a shameful assault to turn a profit for himself," Joel Cohen said.

Officials for 180 Connect say the noose was put up by an ignorant former employee as a message -- to all workers. You will be hanged if you try to steal equipment.

Cablevision, named in the lawsuit, issued a statement:

"The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission investigated this matter and dismissed all claims against Cablevision in August. This is a dispute between the plaintiffs and 180 Connect involving activities alleged to have occurred at 180 Connect's workplace. As such, it would be inappropriate for us to comment further." 

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