Professional Transit Management, which ran the Spring Transit service in Colorado Springs, settled a racial discrimination lawsuit with the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) last week. The EEOC had alleged Professional Transit Management maintained a racially hostile work environment.
This allegation stems from comments made by at least one employee, including the statement about black employees that “If I had my way I’d gas them like Hitler did the Jews.” These types of comments were made in front of supervisors of the company, who did nothing to admonish this employee or prevent such comments in the future.As part of the settlement, Professional Transit Management does not admit to liability for discrimination, but agrees to pay a total of $450,000 to six former employees. Professional Transit Management has also agreed to a variety of trainings for employees and supervisors.
According to the Colorado Springs Gazette, the City of Colorado Springs is on the hook for $50,000, and the contract with the company is no longer in effect. Professional Transit Management does have contracts, though, with transit agencies in 12 other states.
