Central Transport sued: experienced female truck drivers allegedly shut out for nearly a decade

Source: Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC)

A major legal case is now sending shockwaves through the U.S. trucking industry. The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) has filed a lawsuit against Central Transport, LLC, alleging the company refused for years to hire women for truck driver positions at multiple terminals across the country.

According to the lawsuit filed on March 31, some female applicants with 15, 20, and even 21 years of experience were allegedly rejected, ignored, or discouraged from applying, while men with far less experience were hired instead.

The complaint highlights the cases of two women at the company’s Phoenix terminal. Maquater Hamilton, who had roughly 15 years of experience, allegedly never received an interview after applying. Cassandra Coleman, who had about 21 years behind the wheel, was allegedly discouraged from even submitting an application after being told it would do no good.

But the EEOC says the allegations go far beyond Arizona. Similar incidents were allegedly reported at terminals in Detroit, Chicago, Memphis, Atlanta, and several other locations. In one case cited in the complaint, a manager allegedly told a female applicant he was “not allowed to hire women.”

The federal agency is also raising concerns about the company’s hiring records. Thousands of paper applications from 2015 and 2016 were allegedly not produced, and certain interview notes were reportedly withheld from investigators.

The EEOC is asking the court to force major changes to Central Transport’s hiring practices, in addition to seeking financial damages. A jury trial has also been requested.

At this point, no decision has been made on the merits of the case. The allegations have not yet been proven in court, and Central Transport had not officially responded at the time the lawsuit was filed.

The case is once again putting the spotlight on the role of women in trucking, at a time when many companies say they want to broaden recruitment efforts and bring more talent into the industry.