Call center workers sue American

The Cincinnati Enquirer reports, "American Airlines is being sued for alleged age and gender discrimination for targeting its downtown call center for closure this summer."

"Thirty employees, mostly women over 40, this week sued the suburban Dallas-based airline in U.S. District Court in Cincinnati and accused the carrier of offering inferior severance and only half-hearted assistance in getting other positions with the company. Their lawyer, Eric Deters, is seeking class-action status."

"American said last fall it would shut the facility at the historic Bartlett Building at Fourth and Walnut streets after the carrier learned its landlord wanted to convert the building into a hotel or condos once the lease expires this summer."

"The roughly 450 employees were offered the option of doing their job from home or transferring to another call center elsewhere in the country, but Deters claims those options have been rigged to discourage most employees from selecting them."

"For example, home-based employees would not only have taken a pay cut and reduced benefits, but also have been required to report to Dallas in person at their own expense if their equipment failed until the problem was solved."

"Deters said the work-at-home program was canceled because not enough people signed up."