PGW Age Discrimination Suit Headed for Arbitration
August 10, 2011

An age discrimination suit filed against Pittsburgh Glass Works (PGW) by former employee James Freeman late last year is headed for arbitration, according to court documents. Based on this, the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania has closed its case.

The decision to move to arbitration comes as the result of a recent hearing held on August 4 before Judge Arthur Schwab. While the parties in the case had engaged in settlement discussions, according to court documents, "settlement discussions … were unsuccessful."

Freeman filed the case late last year against PGW and alleged that the company violated the Age Discrimination in Employment Act when it terminated his employment in 2008. PGW had filed a counterclaim, alleging that Freeman had breached his contract (and specifically, his separation agreement) with the company by filing the age discrimination suit. However, that part of the counterclaim was dismissed earlier this year.

Freeman worked for the company in various positions for eight years, between 2000 and 2008, and claims to have consistently received positive performance reviews up until his termination in July 2008-and says he was let go "without notice or warning," and was told that his position was being eliminated.

Freeman had filed a complaint with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission prior to filing suit, and sought reasonable monetary damages, a judgment for liquidated damages, costs and attorneys' fees, pre-judgment and post-judgment interest, and "awards such other and further legal and equitable relief as may be found appropriate."

Meanwhile, plaintiffs in another age discrimination suit filed against PGW last year currently are seeking a class action.

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