The story McWethy tells in court files is scary: In August 1997, a male factory colleague followed her into a bathroom and--pointing to her crotch--asked if he could "eat at the Y." McWethy says she complained to security and was subsequently singled out by co-workers as a "troublemaker," and subjected to retaliation. For starters, she claims that for almost three months she was passed over for necessary job training, while employees with less seniority got the training.
Then, according to McWethy, the retaliation escalated and took on a racial tone. Her co-workers started referring to McWethy over the work radio as "Chihuahua." When she complained to her supervisor, Lou Chancey, she says he responded, "I can't control what employees say over the radio." McWethy says the name calling didn't stop. In fact, following her complaint, pictures of Chihuahuas began appearing in the break room. The dog pictures were emblazoned with the number "99"--McWethy's employee number. Again, she complained to Chancey, but the taunting persisted. (Chancey was not listed in Boeing's company directory.)
The final straw came when her bicycle tires (she bikes to work) were slashed. McWethy is currently on a leave of absence.
Given last year's landmark Supreme Court ruling that holds employers directly accountable for employee-on-employee harassment, McWethy's story--if proven--could spell trouble for Boeing. McWethy's attorney, Ray Polakovic, says he's in the process of initiating negotiations with Boeing. "A prerequisite to any settlement," he says, "is that prophylactic measures are taken guaranteeing that the harassment stops for my client and subsequent employees." Polakovic says he doesn't know where Boeing stands.
Boeing spokeswoman Sherry Nebel says Boeing hasn't even been served with court papers yet, and the company higher-ups haven't reviewed the allegations. Her official line is "I'm not aware of any lawsuit against us." Nebel did say, though, that she's aware of crane worker Christinia McWethy.
