The Sunnybrook Union, representing teachers and support staff in the Sunnybrook School District in Lansing, Illinois, has agreed to pay $110,000 to settle a race discrimination lawsuit brought by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). The case involved a black custodian who was denied a promotion to head custodian because of his race.
According to the EEOC, when the school district tried to promote the custodian outside the rules of their collective bargaining agreement, the union filed a grievance to block the promotion. However, in other cases involving non-black employees receiving similar out-of-agreement promotions, the union either allowed the changes or even helped to make them happen. This uneven treatment raised concerns about racial discrimination by the union.
The lawsuit, filed in federal court in Illinois, accused the union of violating Title VII of the Civil Rights Act, which prohibits labor organizations from discriminating based on race. After attempts to settle the matter before court, the union agreed to a consent decree.
Under this agreement, the union will pay the affected employee $110,000 in back pay and damages. The union also committed to training its officers about race discrimination, sharing educational materials about workers’ rights with its members, and providing regular reports to the EEOC on any future claims of racial bias. This settlement will remain in effect until the end of the 2026-2027 school year.
The case highlights how labor unions must ensure fair treatment for all members, regardless of race, especially when negotiating employment terms. It also shows the role the EEOC plays in holding organizations accountable for discrimination in the workplace.