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Jury finds deaf-mute underpaid
Tammy Fonce-Olivas
El Paso Times
A Central El Paso man earning $5.51 an hour was denied higher wages by his
employer of more than 20 years because he cannot hear or speak, a jury in County
Court-at-Law No. 5 decided.
Eduardo Quiroga, 43, sued Jonsil Manufacturing Corp., known for making class
rings. He claimed his co-workers performing similar duties, including some with
less experience, were "earning considerably more or even double than what
he was paid," court records stated.
A jury found Thursday that Quiroga's disability was a "motivating
factor" in the wages Jonsil paid him for his work operating a machine that
makes molds for class rings.
The jury also determined that a "reasonable and fair hourly wage" for
Quiroga is $11.50 and that he deserves $170,000 in compensatory damages in back
pay and for pain and suffering.
An official for Jonsil Manufacturing said Friday that despite the jury's
findings, the company did not use Quiroga's disability as a factor in
determining his hourly pay. "Though we don't agree with the jury's
decision, we will abide by it and we will be glad to put this behind us and move
forward," said David Cervantes, the company's manager.
Judge Carlos Villa is expected to enter a formal ruling July 6.
Quiroga's lawyer, George Andritsos, said his client filed two Equal Employment
Opportunity Commission complaints before suing in civil court. Quiroga continues
to work for Jonsil.
Tammy Fonce-Olivas may be reached at tfonce@elpasotimes.com; 546-6362.
To read article, please go to:
http://www.borderlandnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20050611/NEWS/506110326/1001
Tammy Fonce-Olivas
El Paso Times
A Central El Paso man earning $5.51 an hour was denied higher wages by his
employer of more than 20 years because he cannot hear or speak, a jury in County
Court-at-Law No. 5 decided.
Eduardo Quiroga, 43, sued Jonsil Manufacturing Corp., known for making class
rings. He claimed his co-workers performing similar duties, including some with
less experience, were "earning considerably more or even double than what
he was paid," court records stated.
A jury found Thursday that Quiroga's disability was a "motivating
factor" in the wages Jonsil paid him for his work operating a machine that
makes molds for class rings.
The jury also determined that a "reasonable and fair hourly wage" for
Quiroga is $11.50 and that he deserves $170,000 in compensatory damages in back
pay and for pain and suffering.
An official for Jonsil Manufacturing said Friday that despite the jury's
findings, the company did not use Quiroga's disability as a factor in
determining his hourly pay. "Though we don't agree with the jury's
decision, we will abide by it and we will be glad to put this behind us and move
forward," said David Cervantes, the company's manager.
Judge Carlos Villa is expected to enter a formal ruling July 6.
Quiroga's lawyer, George Andritsos, said his client filed two Equal Employment
Opportunity Commission complaints before suing in civil court. Quiroga continues
to work for Jonsil.
Tammy Fonce-Olivas may be reached at tfonce@elpasotimes.com; 546-6362.
To read article, please go to:
http://www.borderlandnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20050611/NEWS/506110326/1001