Claims Racial Discrimination After Being Passed Over For A Promotion

Charlotte Douglas International Airport Assistant Aviation Director Herbert Judon has sued the city of Charlotte, NC, claiming he is the victim of discrimination due to his race.

Judon, who is black, claims he has been passed over for promotion in favor of a less-qualified white employees.

The Charlotte Observer reports that in his suit, Judon says that when the city parted ways with former Aviation Director Jerry Orr ... the city and Orr never did agree on whether he resigned or was fired ... City Manager Ron Carlee appointed Brent Cagle as the interim aviation director.

Cagle was also an assistant aviation director at the time, but he had worked at the airport for a little more than a year, compared to Judon's 19 years of service in various capacities. The suit says that Judon "was the only minority employee who held an assistant aviation director position.”

Cagle then created a new deputy aviation director position, and filled it with Jack Christine, who was also an assistant aviation director. The suit claims Cagle and Christine, who are both white, are “close personal friends outside of the work setting.” Christine had worked at the airport for 16, but, according to documents filed with the court, his "overall background and work experience was decidedly less stellar than was (Judon’s).”

Cagle left his assistant aviation director position unfilled, leading to speculation that he would return to that job if he was not made permanent aviation director. That decision has not been made.

Judon said in his filing that the deputy position was filled without a competitive process. He first filed a complaint with the EEOC, which was dismissed, giving him the right to sue.

Judon seeks to be named deputy aviation director, with pay retroactive to July 2013.

FMI: http://charmeck.org/city/charlotte/Airport/Pages/default.aspx