Case 2:20-cv-11346-MAG-APP ECF No. 1 filed 05/27/20

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UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
EASTERN DISTRICT OF MICHIGAN
SOUTHERN DIVISION
PATRICIA MORRIS-GIBSON, an individual
PLAINTIFF,

Case No.:
Hon.

v.
THE INTERNATIONAL UNION, UNITED
AUTOMOBILE, AEROSPACE AND
AGRICULTURAL IMPLEMENT WORKERS
OF AMERICA (UAW), GERALD KAREEM,
MIGUEL FOSTER AND GEORGE HARDY,
DEFENDANTS.
AVERY K. WILLIAMS (P34731)
LISA M. GARDNER (P54971)
WILLIAMS ACOSTA, PLLC
Attorneys for Plaintiff
535 Griswold, Suite 1000
Detroit, MI 48226
(313) 963-3873
awilliams@williamsacosta.com
GERALD K. EVELYN (P29182)
Attorneys for Plaintiff
535 Griswold, Suite 1000
Detroit, MI 48226
(313) 962-3500
geraldevelyn@yahoo.com

COMPLAINT AND DEMAND FOR JURY TRIAL
Plaintiff, Patricia Morris-Gibson (“Plaintiff”), by her attorneys, Williams
Acosta, PLLC and Gerald K. Evelyn, states as follows as her Complaint against

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Defendants, the International Union, United Automobile, Aerospace and
Agricultural Implement Workers of America (“UAW”), Miguel Foster (“Foster”),
George Hardy (“Hardy”), and Gerald Kareem (“Kareem”) (collectively
“Defendants”):
NATURE OF THE COMPLAINT
1.

In this civil action, Plaintiff asserts claims for money damages in excess

of $75,000.00, and requests punitive damages, attorney fees, costs and all other
available relief under law based on Defendants’ unlawful discrimination of Plaintiff
and the hostile work environment to which she has been subjected.
2.

The claims asserted by Plaintiff in this action include, but are not

necessarily limited to, violations of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as
amended, 42 U.S.C.§ 2000(e), et seq., the Michigan Elliott Larsen Civil Rights Act,
MCL 37.2201, et seq., and common law for the sexual harassment of Plaintiff and
hostile work environment to which Plaintiff was subjected that was so severe or
pervasive that it altered the conditions of her employment; as well as breach of the
UAW’s policy on the Elimination of Workplace Sexual Harassment. (Exhibit 1)
PARTIES
3.

Plaintiff is an individual who resides in the City of Taylor, Michigan,

within the Eastern District of Michigan.

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Plaintiff, a 56-year-old African American female, is employed with the

UAW as an International Service Representative.
5.

The UAW is a labor organization whose offices are located in Detroit,

Michigan, within the Eastern District of Michigan.
6.

Defendant Miguel Foster is the UAW’s Assistant Director of Technical

Office Professionals (“TOP”) who was Plaintiff’s immediate supervisor, and who
resides within the Eastern District of Michigan.
7.

Defendant Gerald Kareem (“Kareem”) is the Vice President and

Director of the UAW Ford Department and, upon information and belief, resides and
has done work within the Eastern District of Michigan.
8.

Defendant George Hardy is the UAW’s Assistant Director of

Independent Part Suppliers (“IPS”) and, upon information and belief, resides within
the Eastern District of Michigan.
JURISDICTION AND VENUE
9.

Jurisdiction is vested in this Court under 28 U.S.C. § 1331 and 42 U.S.C

§ 2000(e), et seq.
10.

Jurisdiction is further vested in this Court under 28 U.S.C. § 1367.

11.

Venue is vested in this Court under 28 U.S.C. § 1391(b).

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GENERAL ALLEGATIONS
12.

Plaintiff’s employment with the Blue Cross Blue Shield (“BCBS”)

division of the TOP Section of UAW began in 2008.
13.

Plaintiff has worked as a union leader for over twenty-two (22) years

and she has been a union member for over thirty-three (33) years.
14.

Plaintiff came to work for the UAW International by selection by its

leadership.
15.

Plaintiff was repeatedly told that she served at the discretion of the

UAW’s leadership.
16.

Plaintiff was made aware by members of that leadership that if they

became unhappy with her, she would be demoted to her last non-union leadership
position with the same salary and benefits.
17.

Throughout her employment with the UAW, Plaintiff was subjected to

discrimination and sexual harassment including but not limited to unwelcome sexual
advances, comments, and offensive conduct of a sexual nature.
UAW CONTRACTUAL POLICY
18.

UAW adopted and implemented a policy on the Elimination of

Workplace Sexual Harassment that is detailed and binding.
19.

The policy is unambiguous and guides UAW’s commitment to prevent

and eradicate sexual harassment.
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20.

The language of the policy is plain and unambiguous.

21.

The policy provides, among other things as follows:

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[a.] DEFINITION OF SEXUAL HARASSMENT
Sex-based harassment may be unwanted attention directed to an
employee because of their sex. Equal Employment Opportunity
Commission (EEOC) guidelines stress that sexual harassment can
be verbal abuse as well as unwanted physical contact or offensive
pictures, cartoons, slogans or posters displayed in a work area:
Unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual
favors, and other verbal or physical conduct of a
sexual nature constitute sexual harassment when (1)
submission to such conduct is made either explicitly
or implicitly a term or condition of an individual's
employment; (2) submission to or rejection of such
conduct by an individual is used as the basis for
employment decisions affecting such individual; or
(3) such conduct has the purpose or effect of
substantially interfering with an individual's work
performance or creating an intimidating, hostile, or
offensive working environment.
Recent court decisions also have recognized that sexual harassment
can occur in many different ways. A worker need not be
propositioned, touched offensively or harassed by sexual innuendo.
In some sexually charged workplaces, proving the
"unwelcomeness" of the harassment activity is complicated by the
behavior of the complainant. Mixed signals may indicate the
complainant is showing welcomeness, while in fact, the employee's
behavior is simply an effort to adjust to the prevailing workplace
culture. Under the law, conduct that is initially welcomed, may later
become unwelcome. An employee's initial acceptance does not
waive their right to complain about later conduct, but the initial
acceptance may complicate any attempt to prove unwelcomeness.
There are at least four types of victims of sexual harassment: 1)
those who are penalized for refusing the harasser's advances; 2)
those whose fear of reprisal or desire for privileges traps them in
unwanted sexual relationships; 3) workers who suffer as a result of
the harasser's favoritism toward one of them who does submit to
sexual advances; and 4) everyone who is required to work in an

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environment tainted with hostile or offensive language, behavior or
visual displays.
****
[b.] SPECIAL PROTECTION AGAINST SEXUAL
HARASSMENT
In addition to grievances on sex discrimination, additional efforts
can be made through collective bargaining to eradicate sexual
harassment. Since 1979, the problem of sexual harassment has been
brought to the bargaining table for frank and open discussion with
management. Contractual language was won at Chrysler, Ford, and
General Motors which identifies sexual harassment as a subject
within the jurisdiction of the National and Local Equal Application
Committee, In 1996 letters, these auto employers agreed that
discrimination because of sexual orientation could be grieved the
same as other types of improper discrimination.
The International Union encourages the development of special
complaint provisions to address the problem of sexual harassment,
as long as such provisions offer an additional avenue of relief,
rather than a substitute for the grievance procedure and can be
applied equally to all UAW members.
****
[c.] REMEDIES FOR SEXUAL HARASSMENT
The remedy for a victim of sexual harassment depends on the
particular case. For example, if the grievant has suffered economic
harm (e.g., demotion, suspension, discharge) due to retaliation by a
supervisor for the employee's failure to submit to the supervisor's
advances, the requested remedy should include the standard "make
whole" demand. On the other hand, if the grievance is directed at
stopping harassment, the requested remedy should at least demand
that the supervisor cease and desist the objectionable conduct. It can
also request that the supervisor be transferred or disciplined up to
and including discharge and that the company fulfill its duty to
provide a workplace free of sexual harassment.
Other forms of relief or grievance settlement may include a demand
that management print, distribute and post a policy against sexual
harassment in the workplace. This demand can also be pursued
during contract negotiations.

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****
[d.] CONFIDENTIALITY
A sexual harassment complaint is a very sensitive topic and must be
handled with great seriousness and respect for the rights of all
concerned. Sometimes workers are too embarrassed or humiliated
by the experience to come forward with their complaints. This
problem can only be corrected if workers feel assured that the Union
will take their complaints seriously and will treat them as
confidential as possible.
Of course, the filing of a grievance on sexual harassment means that
the complaint will not be totally secret forever. However, the
substance of the grievance can determine how much detail must be
revealed to management or how prominent a role the individual
victim must play. For example, the committeeperson may wish to
file a union policy grievance or group grievance when the aim of the
grievance is to stop a harasser's conduct and no economic award for
an individual grievant is sought. The names of the alleged harasser
and victim(s) should be included in the grievance in order for it to
be properly investigated. As with any other grievance, supporting
facts should be released on a "need to know' basis only and be kept
confidential. This will decrease the probability that anyone will file
a defamation suit.

22.

Despite having a well-defined policy of prohibition of sexual

harassment, Defendants breached the policy in every fashion imaginable as detailed
below.
23.

Despite having a road map to guide their conduct and response in

situations involving sexual harassment, Defendants chose to openly flaunt the policy
in order to retaliate against Plaintiff and maintain and perpetuate a pervasively
hostile work environment.

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A. HARASSMENT BY MIGUEL FOSTER
24.

During Plaintiff's first week on staff with the UAW, Defendant asked

another co-worker (Kevin Tolbert) who is that “woman with the big titties and the
small waist”.
25.

While attending a Coalition of Black Trade Unionists Convention in

Atlanta, Georgia, Foster, who was Director of the Civil and Humans Rights
Department, asked Plaintiff to sleep with him.
26.

Foster told Ms. Angela Blue, a retired International Representative that

he loved [“Plaintiff”]. Ms. Blue relayed this comment to Plaintiff, but it was never
investigated by Defendants.
27.

When Foster joined Plaintiff’s division in 2018, he almost immediately

began harassing behavior toward Plaintiff.
28.

Foster made comments about bending Plaintiff over her desk and

tapping “that ass” in front of a co-worker Anthony McNeil.
29.

McNeil was visibly upset about Foster’s comment and later told

Plaintiff that “if Miguel said one more thing to [her], he would check him because
he has sisters and wouldn’t allow anyone to disrespect them like that.”
30.

Foster asked Plaintiff to “have his babies”.

31.

Foster stated to Plaintiff and co-workers that Plaintiff was “his type of

woman”.
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Sandra Parker witnessed Foster’s constant harassment toward Plaintiff

and another co-worker. Parker expressed disapproval and frustration to Plaintiff
about Foster’s conduct, and then proceeded to contact Scott Andrews (Staff Council
President) to discuss Foster’s behavior.
33.

Plaintiff repeatedly requested Hardy to assign her to a different line of

business, as Foster was over TOP, the line of business she was under. Hardy
frequently responded that he was working on it, yet Plaintiff remained under Foster's
leadership.
34.

On or about October 2018, as Plaintiff was exiting an elevator at BCBS,

Foster shockingly kissed Plaintiff on the side of her mouth without her consent or
permission.
35.

This incident was witnessed by others including the president of the

BCBS local union, Amy Castanon.
B. HARDY ALLEGED INVESTIGATION
36.

In October 2018, Plaintiff relayed the facts of BCBS “kiss incident” to

her co-worker, Darryl Bragg, who reported the incident to Hardy, the then Director
of TOP Department and Plaintiff’s ultimate supervisor.
37.

Foster was never properly interviewed by the UAW.

38.

Plaintiff’s complaints have always been treated as mere puffery and

exaggeration by Defendants, who devoted their energy to “protecting Foster.”
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The next day, Hardy summoned Plaintiff from (Sandra Parker) her

union representative’s office, into a meeting in Foster’s office with him, Foster and
Darryl Bragg. Plaintiff’s union representative was not asked to attend.
40.

During the meeting in Foster’s office, Hardy commented about them

being a family and proceeded to ask Plaintiff about Foster kissing her on the elevator.
41.

Plaintiff was uncomfortable and asked Hardy if she could leave the

meeting, but Hardy denied her request demanding that she talk about the kiss on the
elevator in Foster’s presence in direct contravention of the UAW’s policy. (See
Exhibit 1 and ¶ 17, p. 18 above).
42.

Plaintiff confirmed to Hardy that Foster kissed her when she was

exiting the elevator.
43.

Hardy asked Plaintiff whether she was offended by Foster kissing her

and Plaintiff denied being offended in an effort to shorten the discussion so that she
could leave the meeting, which had made her extremely uncomfortable as Foster
was visibly angry and noticeably glaring at her and was still her supervisor. (See
Exhibit 1) Plaintiff became visibly upset and began crying and hyperventilating, as
she was afraid and humiliated.
44.

When Plaintiff left the meeting in Foster’s office, Hardy’s secretary,

Barbara Hoyles, noticed that Plaintiff was visibly upset.
Plaintiff, hugged her and told her “everything would be okay”.
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Sandra Parker, Plaintiff’s union representative, also saw that Plaintiff

was visibly upset after leaving Foster’s office and went to Plaintiff’s office. Parker
indicated that Hardy should have asked her to attend the meeting with Plaintiff.
46.

After Parker left Plaintiffs office, she went to Hardy’s office and asked

Hardy why he did not bring her (Parker) in as her Union Representative. Hardy told
Parker he did not bring her (Parker) into the meeting because he thought that Bragg
was lying.
47.

Hardy asked Nadja Riovos (“Riovos”), the Assistant Director of

Arbitration, if she thought his conduct was appropriate. Riovos informed Hardy that
Plaintiff was upset and could not stop crying after the meeting in Foster’s office and
that he should have taken the complaint regarding sexual harassment to human
resources.
48.

Hardy replied that he could not worry about “Patricia Morris and her

tears because he must protect Foster” and keep it in the department.
C. JEFF SHROCK’S SECOND ALLEGED UAW INVESTIGATION
49.

After the Hardy meeting, upon Plaintiff's return from medical leave,

Foster began to retaliate against and attempt to intimidate Plaintiff.
50.

The UAW did not investigate Plaintiff’s allegations of sexual

harassment until April 2019, after Plaintiff requested her personnel file and the IME
findings, and six months after Hardy was informed of the harassment.
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Plaintiff met with Jeff Shrock (“Shrock”), AA to then UAW president,

Gary Jones, and Scott Andrews (“Andrews”), Staff Council President.
52.

Plaintiff met with Andrews two days before the UAW disclosed their

findings. Plaintiff asked if Castanon, who witnessed Foster kiss Plaintiff on the
elevator, was asked to give a statement for the case. Andrews informed Plaintiff that
Defendant deemed it unnecessary to bring an outsider in, as Foster admitted to
kissing Plaintiff.
53.

After the investigation, Plaintiff met with Shrock, Andrews and the

human resources director, Naghmana Siddiqi, to discuss the UAW’s findings.
54.

During the meeting with Shrock, Andrews and Siddiqi, Plaintiff was

informed of the following:
a. Foster admitted to kissing Plaintiff;
b.

Foster admitted to unwanted advances and inappropriate behavior
toward Plaintiff;

c. Foster and Plaintiff were expected to be professional and “get back
to work”;
d. Plaintiff could move to the security guard’s office if she did not want
to sit near Foster, which was five doors away from Foster and half
the size of her prior office;
e. Plaintiff was told if she saw Foster coming, she could turn the other
way;
f. Plaintiff could come in early and leave late to avoid Foster;

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g. If Plaintiff needed copies from the print room, she could ask a
secretary to retrieve the copies to avoid Foster;
h. Plaintiff must remain professional when she encounters Foster in
staff meetings, departmental meetings, conferences and
conventions;
i. Plaintiff was told by Jeff Shrock that President Jones said she had
no choice but to see Foster in meetings, conferences and
conventions and when she saw him, she had to be professional;
j. Plaintiff was told that Foster was a needed (essential) employee;
k. Plaintiff was never interviewed by Human Resources. She was
interviewed by Hardy who said he had to protect Foster and Jeff
Shrock, Foster’s friend and Administrative Assistant to Gary Jones;
and
l. Plaintiff was told by Andrews that she could use the Employee
Assistance Program and go back on medical leave, with which
Siddiqi agreed; and
m. Andrews asked Shrock if Foster received direction regarding
interactions with the Plaintiff. Shrock said no, under the order of
Gary Jones.
55.

The UAW’s corrective action in response to the complaint of sexual

harassment of Plaintiff was to assign Plaintiff to a department where she reported to
her harasser Miguel Foster, again.
56.

After Plaintiff returned from her initial medical leave in March 2019,

Plaintiff was ordered to attend a UAW gathering at Cobo Hall.
57.

During Plaintiff's first session at this gathering, Foster approached

Plaintiff and said their new boss Joe Rioux wanted to meet with the two of them.
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Foster motioned for Plaintiff to follow him and took her on a

meandering path down a dark hallway behind the stage into the Sergeant at arms
room. Plaintiff believed she was compelled to follow Foster despite her discomfort.
59.

Plaintiff was petrified the entire time of this solitary journey but

believed that the meetings with Shrock and Hardy left her no options.
60.

There was another incident in March 2019 when the Solidarity House

lost power.
61.

The employees were sent home.

62.

Plaintiff was in a copy room when the power went off and it went dark.

63.

As Plaintiff exited the copy room, Foster jumped out scaring Plaintiff

and started to shadow box with Plaintiff.
64.

Foster then said to Plaintiff: “Oh it’s you”, popped his collar and

ominously said, “you better be careful”.
D. FIRST UAW FORMAL RESPONSE
65.

Plaintiff was so upset that she was unable to continue working and went

on a medical leave in October 2018.
66.

The UAW’s response to Plaintiff’s complaint has been nothing short of

horrendous and utterly non-responsive to Plaintiff’s concerns and the intolerable
working conditions in which she found herself.

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Plaintiff was forced to undergo at least two allegedly independent

medical examinations.
68.

Plaintiff first went on forced medical leave in October 2018.

69.

She was forced into a medical examination with a clinician, James

Cowley, MSU, LCSW, who was a mental health therapist on October 4, 2018.
70.

Plaintiff was sent for an IME by Defendants in February 2019 with

Gerald A. Shiener, M.D. after Cowley had already released her to return to work as
of March 11, 2019. Eventually the Defendants received Shiener’s findings which
included a return to work date of March 14, 2019.
71.

After

receiving

no

communication

from

Shiener,

Plaintiff

communicated to Siddiqi (via email) that Cowley released her to return to work on
March 11, 2019. Siddiqi informed Plaintiff that Shiener also had not communicated
with her, and that Plaintiff could return per Cowley’s findings.
72.

Plaintiff asked her therapist to allow her to return to work after being

informed of Hardy’s demotion and that she would be under a new Director, Joe
Rioux.
73.

Plaintiff returned to work on March 11, 2019, after convincing Cowley,

her therapist, to allow her to return to work, not based on the IME findings. She
returned, as she wanted to keep the job and position that she had earned through hard
work and sacrifice.
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Upon her return to work, Plaintiff was still assigned to work with and

report to Foster until the next divisional staff meeting.
75.

In fear of being alone with Foster, Plaintiff asked Bragg and McNeil to

enter her office if they saw Foster come into her office.
76.

Plaintiff was called to a private meeting with Hardy, Foster and Rioux,

in which Plaintiff supplied them with alternative departments in which she could
work, at Rioux’s request.
77.

Plaintiff’s recommendations were disregarded in the course of a

meeting with her division that was chaired by Mr. Rioux. Plaintiff was again
assigned to work with and report to Foster.
78.

Plaintiff protested the reassignment to Foster to Mr. Rioux during the

meeting. Her protests were ignored.
79.

Plaintiff was visibly upset after the divisional meeting. Hardy called

Plaintiff into his office to inform her that Rioux expressed disapproval about her
response and frustration over her questioning his authority, leaving Plaintiff feeling
defeated.
80.

Plaintiff requested a copy of her personnel file and the IME report.

81.

Defendants initiated an investigation of Plaintiff’s sexual harassment

allegations only after Plaintiff requested her personnel file and IME report.
82.

Plaintiff was relocated to a smaller office on the same floor with Foster.
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Plaintiff began working with her door locked, her lights off and her

blinds closed as a result of fear and stress driven by the fact that Foster knew she
was in the office and probably alone.
84.

Plaintiff later learned that Shiener’s IME report included confidential

healthcare information in violation of HIPAA.
85.

Shiener’s report was biased and clearly structured to minimize

Plaintiff’s complaints.
E. SECOND UAW IME
86.

After her meeting with Shrock and others and the UAW’s

unsatisfactory response to her complaints, Plaintiff’s conditions continued to
worsen.
87.

Plaintiff went out on medical leave a second time.

88.

Plaintiff has been off work since April 2019.

89.

Plaintiff’s salary and benefits have been systematically reduced by

Defendants.
90.

Plaintiff’s car allowance was reduced along with multiple other

benefits, her auto insurance reimbursement, her monthly communication allowance,
her oil change maintenance reimbursement, her life insurance policy and her
dependent life insurance.

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Plaintiff is a mother of a college-aged daughter, and she cared for her

own mother, prior to her failing health and subsequent passing
92.

Plaintiff was married, but her marriage disintegrated once her husband

became aware of Foster and Settle’s harassment.
93.

Plaintiff’s salary was dramatically cut in the midst of the global

pandemic in April 2020.
94.

Plaintiff was sent for a second IME in September 2019, with David

Beltzman, M.D., a Board-certified psychiatrist.
95.

Plaintiff was diagnosed with major depression and Post-Traumatic

Stress Syndrome by Dr. Beltzman as a result of Defendants’ harassment. Plaintiff
was also diagnosed with major depression, PTSD and paranoia disorder by Cowley,
her psychiatrist and her medical doctor, which she is currently being treated for.
F. HARASSMENT BY GERALD KAREEM
96.

While at a conference in Washington, DC, Kareem whispered in

Plaintiff’s ear asking her to sleep with him and said it would be their little secret.
97.

Plaintiff responded that she was married.

98.

Kareem laughed and said that he would not tell.

99.

On or about March 12, 2019, while at a bargaining conference at the

TCF Center, Kareem approached Plaintiff and said to her “Goddamn you so fucking
fine”.
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100. Kareem nicknamed Plaintiff ‘cousin’ because he stated that Plaintiff
reminded him of his beautiful cousin.
101. Kareem informed one of his employees of his interest in Plaintiff,
which the employee relayed back to Plaintiff.
G. OTHER INCIDENTS OF HARASSMENT
102. Plaintiff was subjected to numerous unwelcome and offensive
comments and conduct by Jimmy Settles, former UAW Vice President of the Ford
Motor Company Department.
103. Plaintiff first encounter with Settles (then, a Regional Director) was at
a conference in Atlanta. Settles was very intoxicated and inquired about Plaintiff
name from Reggie Mills (then, a CommitteeMan). Settles then belligerently
screamed Plaintiffs name across a hotel lobby, insisting that she come over to him.
104. While talking to Plaintiff at the Macy’s Bar at the UAW Black Lake
Conference Center, Settles ran his hand across her stomach and asked if he could
“have some”.
105. During a meeting with Rory Gamble (“Gamble”), current UAW
President, Settles called Plaintiff into the meeting to bring Gamble a bottle of water.
Upon entering the meeting, Settles made a comment to Gamble regarding Plaintiff’s
“hard nipples showing through her shirt” and that “she must be happy to see you”.

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106. After the meeting, Settles told Plaintiff that Gamble was so excited to
have seen her, that he stuttered the rest of the meeting. From that moment forward,
Plaintiff is reminded of that experience, and was embarrassed every time she saw
Gamble.
107. Plaintiff was embarrassed by Settles’ comment and Gamble told Settles
to “leave her alone”.
108. During a conversation with Plaintiff and Angela Blue (“Blue”), a
former international union representative, Settles told Plaintiff he would buy her a
pair of red bottom shoes (Christian Louboutin’s) if she was wearing them and had
them hanging out of his desk drawer.
109. Settles informed Plaintiff that Blue would not become the Director of
Civil Rights because she was too old and grey, and had missing teeth, in response to
why he rejected Plaintiff and Blue’s request to transfer to the Civil Rights
Department.
110. Settles requested that Plaintiff bring “pretty friends” to his annual golf
outings.
111. During a Christmas party held at the National Program Center, in the
presence of his staff, Settles insisted that Plaintiff sit on his lap and when she refused,
he grabbed Plaintiff by the ponytail and pulled her in an attempt to get her chair to
his chair. When she got free from his grasp, Settles grabbed the back of her shirt,
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and ripped it in an attempt to keep her from getting away. Plaintiff was humiliated
and embarrassed.
112. Frank DiGiorgio or Frank Keates, formerly Settles’ administrative
assistants, apologized for Settles’ behavior and told Plaintiff “Jimmy didn’t mean it;
he was drunk and would regret it later”.
113. When Plaintiff decided to run for the position of Vice President of the
TULC executive board, Settles told Plaintiff to sit her ass down and be a secretary
until he tells her otherwise.
114. Settles informed Plaintiff that she would be going to the Ford
Department with him after he was assigned to the office of Vice President. When
Plaintiff advised Settles that she did not mind working for Vice President Cindy
Estrada, Settles told her “mother fucker shut the fuck up” and to “appreciate when
someone is trying to take care of [her]”.
115. Settles met with Plaintiff and Local Union President, Felecia Browning.
After a disagreement, Settles threatened to demote Plaintiff by sending her back to
Blue Cross. When Plaintiff became visibly upset, Settles summoned a waiter and
said “bring her ass a drink to calm her down”.
116. During Plaintiff’s initial interview with Settles, Settles asked Plaintiff
if she planned on having more children. After Plaintiff said that she “wasn’t sure”,

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Settles informed Plaintiff that if she did plan on having more children, “this would
probably not be the job for [her]”.
117. Settles asked Plaintiff to bring two of her female friends, Alecia Greene
and Chelette Smiley, to a CAP Conference in Washington DC. During their time in
DC, Settle’s lured Smiley into a bedroom in the Hospitality Suite with him at his
hotel. When Smiley refused to meet his sexual demands, Settles screamed “Bitch,
get your motherfucking ass out of here! Get the fuck out of my face!”. This was
witnessed by the Senior Director of BCBSM Patricia Snyder, Director of BCBSM
Vera Grigorian, International Representatives; Kevin Tolbert, Daryl Nolan, Alecia
Greene, Plaintiff, and many others. The following day, Settles realized his actions
were extremely inappropriate, and in an effort to make amends, moved Smiley and
her roommate Greene to a nicer room at the conference hotel.
118. Settles frequently reiterated the common theme that Plaintiff served at
the discretion of him and if he became unhappy, Plaintiff could and would be
demoted to her last menial position with her former employer prior to becoming a
union officer.
119. During a meeting with Plaintiff, Settles and another employee, Settles
informed Plaintiff and the other employee that they would both be divorced in two
years, as marriages in the UAW do not last. When Plaintiff stated that she disagreed

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because she loved her husband, Settles laughed and said he thought the same about
his first wife.
120. Settles nicknamed Plaintiff “Beyonce” and constantly addressed her as
such instead of by her own name.
121. Settles forced Plaintiff to meet Kwame Kilpatrick, former mayor of
Detroit, at the TULC so Kilpatrick could “see a pretty face” to help him feel better
before he went to prison. Plaintiff asked her friend, Alecia Green (BCBSM), to
accompany her because she was too uncomfortable going alone.
122. Plaintiff received a phone call and voicemail from Settles while on
medical leave in May of 2019. In the voicemail, Settles swore at Plaintiff while
requesting a call back.
123. During the course of Plaintiff’s employment with the UAW, Settles
made numerous other sexually offensive and intimidating comments to Plaintiff.
124. Settles’ unlawful harassment of Plaintiff was witnessed and known by
UAW leadership who failed to take any corrective action.
125. The atmosphere of harassment and hostile work environment for
women, particularly women of color, was pervasive.
126. Defendants were aware of the pervasively hostile work environment
and did nothing to address it.

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127. Plaintiff feared speaking up about the years of on-going harassment, as
she feared retaliation.
128. Plaintiff filed a charge with the Equal Employment Opportunity
Commission (EEOC”) in November 2019. (Exhibit 2 – EEOC Charge)
129. On March 2, 2020, the EEOC issued a notice or right to sue letter to
Plaintiff. (Exhibit 3 – Right to Sue Letter)
130. In April 2020, Plaintiff’s salary was reduced by 50% creating a further
significant financial hardship on Plaintiff.
131. Plaintiff timely filed this Complaint.
COUNT I
SEXUAL HARASSMENT – HOSTILE WORK ENVIRONMENT IN
VIOLATION OF TITLE VII, 42 U.S.C. § 2000e, et seq.,
AS TO DEFENDANT UAW
132. Plaintiff incorporates by reference all preceding allegations as though
fully restated and set forth herein.
133. At all material times, Plaintiff was an employee, and Defendant UAW
was an employer as defined by Title VII.
134. Plaintiff is a member of a protected class based on sex, race and
ethnicity.
135. During the course of her employment with the UAW, Plaintiff has been
subjected to frequent, demeaning, offensive conduct and comments of a sexual

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nature because she is a woman, including conduct and comments by individuals who
had authority over Plaintiff’s employment and working conditions.
136. The above referenced conduct was unwelcome and created a sexually
hostile work environment.
137. The above described conduct was based on Plaintiff’s gender and race.
138. The above described conduct was so severe and/or pervasive that a
reasonable person in Plaintiff’s position would find the work environment at the
UAW to be hostile and abusive.
139. Plaintiff has been undergoing psychological treatment for years as a
result of the above-described conduct, which has affected her and her marriage and
Plaintiff is unequivocal in her belief that the conduct and the environment that
pervades the UAW is abusive.
140. Foster’s physical abuses and threats were not offhand comments or
isolated incidents.
141. As set forth above, Defendants’ tolerance of this pervasive air of
harassment made Plaintiff’s work environment intolerable.
142. The UAW knew or should have known of the above described conduct
but failed to take immediate and appropriate corrective action to remedy the
harassment suffered by Plaintiff.

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143. The UAW’s failure to take immediate and corrective action to stop the
harassment constitutes intentional discrimination of Plaintiff.
144. The UAW acted with reckless indifference to Plaintiff’s rights.
145. As a direct and proximate result of the UAW’s unlawful actions, in
violation of Title VII, Plaintiff has suffered injuries and damages including but not
limited to economic losses, pain and suffering, embarrassment and humiliation.
146. Plaintiff is entitled to compensatory and punitive damages, equitable
relief, attorney’s fees and costs.
COUNT II
SEXUAL HARASSMENT AND HOSTILE ENVIRONMENT IN
VIOLATION OF THE ELCRA
AS TO ALL DEFENDANTS
147. Plaintiff incorporates by reference all preceding allegations as though
fully restated and set forth herein.
148. At all material times, Plaintiff was an employee and Defendants UAW,
Foster, and Hardy were employers and/or agents within the meaning of the ELCRA,
MCL 37,2101, et seq.
149.

Plaintiff was sexually harassed by Defendants throughout the course

of her employment.
150. The sexual harassment included but was not limited to unwelcome
comments and conduct of an offensive and sexual nature directed at Plaintiff based
on her sex.
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151. The unwelcome sexual conduct and comments were intended to and did
substantially interfere with Plaintiff’s employment, creating an intimidating and
hostile or offensive work environment.
152. Defendants knew or should have known of the harassment
153. Defendants failed to adequately investigate and failed to take prompt
appropriate corrective action.
154. Defendants’

sexually

harassing

conduct

constitutes

sexual

discrimination in violation of MCL 37.2101, et seq.
155. As a direct and proximate result of Defendants’ unlawful actions
against Plaintiff, Plaintiff has suffered injuries and damages, including but not
limited to loss of career opportunities, humiliation, embarrassment, mental and
emotional distress; and the loss of the ordinary pleasures of everyday life.
156. As a result of Defendants’ unlawful conduct, Plaintiff has suffered
damages and is entitled to compensatory damages in excess of $75,000, equitable
relief, attorneys fees and costs.
COUNT III
RETALIATION UNDER TITLE VII AS TO UAW
157. Plaintiff incorporates by reference all preceding allegations as though
fully restated and set forth herein.
158. Plaintiff’s report of Foster’s harassment to Defendants constitutes
activity protected by Title VII.
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159. The UAW was aware of Foster’s harassment of Plaintiff.
160.

Instead of the UAW taking immediate and corrective action against

Foster, Plaintiff was reassigned to a position that reported directly to Foster and her
office location was downsized.
161. Plaintiff engaged activity protected by Title VII when she filed an
EEOC charge against the UAW.
162. The UAW was aware of the EEOC charge filed by Plaintiff.
163. Thereafter, Plaintiff’s salary was substantially reduced by 50% creating
a further financial hardship for Plaintiff.
164. The UAW reduced Plaintiff’s salary by half in retaliation for Plaintiff
engaging in activity protected by Title VII.
165. Reassigning Plaintiff to a position that reports to her harasser, reducing
Plaintiff’s salary by 50% and eliminating nearly all of her benefits except health
insurance are materially adverse actions.
166. Had Plaintiff not opposed Defendants’ unlawful actions, she would not
have been subjected to these materially adverse actions.
167. As a direct and proximate result of Defendants’ unlawful actions
against Plaintiff, Plaintiff has suffered injuries and damages, including but not
limited to loss of career opportunities, humiliation, embarrassment, mental and
emotional distress; and the loss of the ordinary pleasures of everyday life.
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168. As a result of Defendants’ unlawful conduct, Plaintiff has suffered
damages and is entitled to compensatory damages in excess of $75,000, equitable
relief, attorneys fees and costs.
COUNT IV
RETALIATION UNDER ELCRA
169. Plaintiff incorporates by reference all preceding allegations as though
fully restated and set forth herein.
170. Plaintiff properly reported Foster’s harassment to the UAW, which was
protected activity by the ELCRA.
171. Defendants were aware of Foster’s harassment of Plaintiff.
172. Rather than implement immediate corrective activity, Defendants
reassigned Plaintiff to a position that still reported directly to Foster and downsized
her office location.
173. Additionally, Defendants did not implement any corrective action
against Foster for his admitted wrongful conduct.
174. Foster was aware of Plaintiff’s complaint to his supervisors.
175. Plaintiff engaged in protected activity by filing an EEOC charge against
the UAW.
176. Defendants were aware of Plaintiff’s protected activity.
177. Thereafter, Plaintiff’s salary was significantly reduced by 50%.

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178. Plaintiff’s salary would not have been reduced by half had she not filed
an EEOC charge.
179. As a direct and proximate result of Defendants’ unlawful actions
against Plaintiff, Plaintiff has suffered injuries and damages, including but not
limited to loss of career opportunities, humiliation, embarrassment, mental and
emotional distress; and the loss of the ordinary pleasures of everyday life.
180. As a result of Defendants’ unlawful conduct, Plaintiff has suffered
damages and is entitled to compensatory damages in excess of $75,000, equitable
relief, attorneys fees and costs.
WHEREFORE, Plaintiff requests that this Court enter judgment in favor of
Plaintiff and against Defendants, providing Plaintiff the following relief:
A.

Awarding money damages in excess of $75,000.00 for any past, current
and future financial losses;

B.

Awarding punitive damages;

C.

Awarding equitable relief including but not limited to an injunction
prohibiting any further acts of discrimination;

D.

Awarding pre-judgment and post-judgment interest;

E.

Awarding reasonable attorney fees as provided by law;

F.

Awarding costs as provided by law; and,

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G.

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Such further legal and/or equitable relief as the Court deems just and
proper.

Respectfully submitted,

s/ Avery K. Williams
WILLIAMS ACOSTA, PLLC
Avery K. Williams (P34731)
Lisa M. Gardner (P54971)
Attorneys for Plaintiff
535 Griswold, Suite 1000
Detroit, MI 48226
(313) 963-3873
awilliams@williamsacosta.com
/s/ Gerald K. Evelyn
GERALD K. EVELYN (P29182)
Attorneys for Plaintiff
535 Griswold, Suite 1000
Detroit, MI 48226
(313) 962-3500
geraldevelyn@yahoo.com
Dated: May 27, 2020

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JURY DEMAND
Plaintiff, Patricia Morris-Gibson (“Plaintiff”), hereby demands a jury trial.

Respectfully submitted,

s/ Avery K. Williams
WILLIAMS ACOSTA, PLLC
Avery K. Williams (P34731)
LISA M. GARDNER (P54971)
Attorneys for Plaintiff
535 Griswold, Suite 1000
Detroit, MI 48226
(313) 963-3873
awilliams@williamsacosta.com
/s/ Gerald K. Evelyn
GERALD K. EVELYN (P29182)
Attorneys for Plaintiff
535 Griswold, Suite 1000
Detroit, MI 48226
(313) 962-3500
geraldevelyn@yahoo.com
Dated: May 27, 2020

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