A former employee has filed a lawsuit alleging racial discrimination and retaliation against two companies. Ricky Nelson filed the complaint in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois on September 17, 2024, naming Aerotek, Inc. and Atkore Management, Inc., doing business as Allied Tube & Conduit Corporation, as defendants.
Nelson's lawsuit seeks redress under the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and Section 1981 for alleged race-based discrimination and retaliation. According to the complaint, Nelson was employed by Aerotek and assigned to work as a forklift driver at Atkore's distribution center in Harvey, Illinois from October 24, 2023, until his termination on January 7, 2024. Nelson claims he met or exceeded performance expectations throughout his employment but was subjected to different terms and conditions due to his race.
The complaint details that Nelson began experiencing discriminatory treatment after being transferred to the evening shift in January 2024. He alleges that Bill Gorman, an Atkore supervisor with a reputation for racism against African American employees, made derogatory remarks about him and other African American workers. Despite receiving no prior disciplinary actions or criticism regarding his work performance, Nelson was terminated by both Aerotek and Atkore on January 7, 2024. He asserts that his termination was racially motivated and notes that six other African American employees were also terminated around the same time.
Nelson is seeking various forms of relief from the court including back pay with interest, front pay with benefits, compensatory damages for emotional distress and pain suffering, punitive damages, reasonable attorney’s fees and costs.
Representing Nelson is Mohammed O. Badwan of Sulaiman Law Group Ltd., while the case will be presided over by judges from the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois under Case No. 1:24-cv-08552.