Feds Sue Spec Formliners for Alleged Unequal Pay for Saleswoman

UPDATE, NOV. 18, 9:41 A.M.: Jessie Ullerich, CEO of Spec Formliners sent the following statement this morning: “Spec Formliners greatly values the contributions of our female employees and we are committed to treating and compensating all of our employees fairly. We deny these allegations and will defend them in court. Due to the pendency of the litigation, we have no further comment at this time.

ORIGINAL POST, NOV. 18, 6:20 A.M.: A Santa Ana concrete liner company is being sued by the feds for allegedly paying a saleswoman less than a male co-w orker doing the same job.

Spec Formliners Inc. is violating federal law by paying the female sales representative less than the male sales representative in base salary and for requiring her to sell more than he does to earn the same commission, the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) charges in the lawsuit filed Thursday in U.S. District Court in Los Angeles.

Those actions violate the Equal Pay Act of 1963 and Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, according to the EEOC, which claims to have filed the suit after first attempting to reach a pre-litigation settlement through its conciliation process.

The suit seeks back pay and liquidated damages, along with compensatory and punitive damages for the unidentified woman, as well as injunctive relief intended to prevent and address discrimination.

“One of EEOC’s strategic enforcement priorities is to ensure women receive equal pay for equal work,” says Anna Park, regional attorney for EEOC’s Los Angeles District that includes Orange County. “Depriving women of equal pay can have an impact beyond just the individuals involved.”

The Weekly reached out yesterday to Spec Formliners CEO Jessie Ullerich for comment but have not heard back. This post will be updated should that comment come.

The company creates and customizes form liner patterns for concrete projects.

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