Lawsuit filed against Blue Ash company for alleged racism

BLUE ASH, Ohio - Employees of a Blue Ash manufacturing company are alleging racism and discrimination in a lawsuit.

The lawsuit filed Monday is against Steelcraft Manufacturing Company and cites several examples of alleged discrimination including racial slurs, death threats, plus loss of promotion opportunities.

The plaintiffs, Anthony Younger of Cincinnati and Lee Gillett of Deer Park, both allege retaliation after complaining to the parent company, Ingersoll Rand.

The protest inspired two men, who don't work for the company or know the men involved in the lawsuit, to protest out front on Monday

"I feel like there's a lot of discrimination going on and I feel like there's a lot of black employees that are scared because they don't want to lose their jobs and so my heart goes out to these two guys that are in this company when I read that news article,” said Stewart Hodge of Springdale.

Younger says he was suspended for complaining to the parent company and Gillett says he was fired.

A spokesman for Ingersoll Rand says the company cannot comment on pending litigation.

He says they are working through the legal process to address and defend the claims made by the plaintiffs.