CHICAGO – Former employees of YMCA of the USA (Y-USA) and their supporters will gather at 11 a.m. Thursday, June 9, 2011 in Chicago, Illinois to protest what they allege is the Y-USA’s pattern of discriminating against African-American employees since 2003. In a federal lawsuit filed February 2010 in Chicago, several former African-American employees allege they were paid less than non-blacks in similar positions, received promotions less frequently, and were hired for lower-earning positions at disproportionately lower rates than their non-black counterparts.

The discriminatory practices of Y-USA are deep-seated and independently proven, said plaintiffs’ attorney J. Bryan Wood. “Bias against African-Americans based on stereotypes is a systemic problem at the Y arising from the history and culture of the YMCA movement,” Wood said. “These aren’t plaintiffs’ allegations, these are the findings of studies the Y cooperated with, but now wants to ignore or deny.”

The plaintiffs also contend that African-American employees are grossly under-represented in mid- and-upper-level positions at the organization.“Tomorrow’s protest is a reminder to the YMCA of the USA that discrimination in the workplace is unacceptable, against the law and we will not be quiet about it,” said James Jones, plaintiff and former Y-USA employee.

The suit further alleges that leadership at the Y-USA, repeatedly ignored complaints about the discriminatory culture within the organization that resulted in African-Americans being denied equal employment opportunities. Employees also experienced retaliation for speaking out, and, ultimately, termination. “What’s most important for me is to make sure this doesn’t continue happening,” said Kavon Ward, plaintiff and a former employee in Y-USA’s Washington, D.C., Government Relations Office. “I know if I stayed silent, it absolutely would.”

The plaintiffs allege that the disparities in pay, promotions and other discriminatory treatment led to a significantly higher job turnover rate for African-American employees. “The YMCA of the USA calls itself a people-focused organization, committed to enriching lives and strengthening communities... guided by caring, honesty, respect and responsibility,” said Sam Becknel, a former Y-USA employee. “But that’s not the image painted by African-Americans who have worked for the organization.”