Lawsuit against NASA alleges ageism, discrimination and racism

Lawsuit against NASA alleges ageism, discrimination, and racism

MOFFETT FIELD, Calif. –

One of the nation’s most heavily unionized entities is the U.S. government, with 1.2 million employees and 56% of its workforce in unions. 

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) finds itself being sued by two former employees who say one of the reasons they were fired was for attempting to form a union.

Two battalion fire chiefs, both military veterans in their fifties, are suing their former employer NASA for wrongful termination. Though they worked for a contractor, NASA Ames at Moffett Field, was in charge. 

“NASA controlled all aspects of their employment. They provided the material, the fire trucks, They could decide if they were hired or fired,” said Oakland attorney Chambord Benton-Hayes, who represents Cameron Gazaway and Robert Wilson.

She said NASA’s treatment of her clients is unfair: “They were discarded because they tried to unionize and because they were older workers,” said Benton-Hayes.

Then there’s the issue of timing. 

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“As we began to go through the process of establishing this union, then we get this notification that our services will be coming to a close,” said Gazaway.

They say they always passed their physical tests, but NASA evaluators began making comments.

“It was always, ‘Oh, you guys don’t drop dead on us, you know. You gonna be OK? You’re looking kind of old.’ You know, things like that; a lot of offhanded comments,” said Wilson. 

“Despite my age, I was dedicated to doing the very best job that I could possibly do,” said Gazaway

Despite decades-long service, they say that NASA suddenly ordered them to get associate degrees in fire science within 45 days, denying requests for time extensions, even though NASA’s Ames at Moffett Field knew about the new requirement long before. 

“A year in advance, and in this entire time, knowing what the new changes are, they didn’t bother to tell us,” said Gazaway. “This is the first time they only gave them 45 days, and they were the only two individuals given that short window,” said Benton-Hayes.

Gazaway recalled colleagues once accused him of leaving pubic hair in a sink. 

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“It was just me brushing my hair. I had to go through the pain of trying to explain those sensitivities concerning my ethnic background,” said Gazaway.

In 2020, NASA settled an age discrimination lawsuit filed by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission for $10 million which helped establish a pattern and practice by the space agency.

NASA responded to KTVU on the lawsuit, saying they are aware but do not comment on litigation. 

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

• SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
• SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities
• SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

• SDG 8.5: By 2030, achieve full and productive employment and decent work for all women and men, including for young people and persons with disabilities, and equal pay for work of equal value.
• SDG 10.2: By 2030, empower and promote the social, economic, and political inclusion of all, irrespective of age, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, origin, religion or economic or other status.
• SDG 16.5: Substantially reduce corruption and bribery in all their forms.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

• Indicator for SDG 8.5: Proportion of employees who have experienced discrimination or unfair treatment in the workplace based on age, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, origin, religion or economic or other status.
• Indicator for SDG 10.2: Proportion of employees who have been denied the right to form or join a trade union or employee association and engage in collective bargaining.
• Indicator for SDG 16.5: Number of reported cases of ageism, discrimination, and racism in the workplace.

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

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Source: ktvu.com

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