Former Employees Sue Walmart In Lake Charles For Race And Age Discrimination [VIDEO]

In a story covered by KPLC 7 News, six former employees have filed suit against Walmart on Gerstner Memorial Highway in Lake Charles.  One of the former workers, 62-year old Wilson Goodley worked for Walmart for 28-years and told KPLC "I was discriminated against because of race and because of my age."  Goodley and his five ex-coworkers are taking the retails giant on in U.S. District Court and accusing store management in Lake Charles of discrimination.

7 News reports the ex-employees were long-standing workers and had a good record throughout their employment, until one at a time they were let go.  The former co-workers say they were all given an excuse, but feel the real reason they were fired is because of race and age.

KPLC 7 News, Lake Charles, Louisiana

All six of the former Walmart workers say they lost their jobs to younger, white employees. Former longtime Walmart employee, Pamela McWain, insisted "I was doing everything that I was told to do. I'm hoping they see that Walmart was wrong for terminating me for no reason."

Do they have a case?  Their attorney, Jill Pierce of Port Arthur, seems to think so.  Pierce explained to 7 News, "Walmart has a policy of progressive discipline which requires employees to be counseled regarding any employment issues, if Walmart doesn't believe that they're doing their job.  It requires counseling, a verbal warning, a written warning to allow an employee the opportunity to correct any deficiencies."

None of the employees received any of the above protocols, rather they claim they were given unrealistic work tasks to complete.  Goodley said of the managements demands, "They knew themselves that the task management program, the task that they give you is impossible to do within that particular amount of time."  The former Walmart employee said after 28-years he was fired over 3 absences

Sixty-two year old Goodley says, after 28 years of service he was fired over 3 absences, but argued a younger white employee missed several days and has kept her job.  He continued, "She had 19 unexcused absenteeism and she's a white associate and she had 11 no-call, no show.

KPLC 7 News reports Betsy Harden, a spokesperson for Walmart's Bentonville, Ark., location, issued the following statement in regard to the accusations:

"We strongly disagree with the allegations raised in the complaint. Each of the plaintiffs was terminated for legitimate business reasons and we stand by that. We intend to defend the company against these claims."