Four former Kendall Campus custodians filed a federal lawsuit against Miami Dade College last April.
According to court records, they said they were fired, selectively laid off or forced to resign under unclear circumstances. They believe it is because they are black, according to court documents.
“The case is still in its early stages and we are waiting for the court to rule on certification,” said Dale Morgado, the attorney representing all four clients. “I can’t comment on ongoing litigation, but I will prove my case in court.”
Joy Ruff, director of Equal Opportunity Programs and Americans with Disabilities Act coordinator for Miami Dade College, did not return voicemail messages left by The Reporter concerning the matter as of press time; the Dean of Administration Gloria Baez and the campus services department at Kendall Campus also did not return messages.
In an interview with The Reporter, one of the plaintiffs—Shack Shedrick, 39, who is currently a part-time student at Kendall Campus—said he was forced to resign because he is black. Shedrick declined to discuss how the College made him resign, but said he was replaced by white Hispanic employees.
The other three plaintiffs: Jerome Mitchell, John Williams and Milton Davis—whom Morgado said had been with the College from nine to nearly 20 years—were unavailable for comment.
“I used to strip, shampoo and wax carpets, and tile floors,” Shedrick said. “I complained to the maintenance department about the corrosive chemicals. I wanted a breathing apparatus; we were cleaning without ventilation. I suffer from respiratory issues; asthma. My face is actually broken out from the chemical fumes.”
Shedrick, a 17-year employee, said he complained, but received no response and soon started getting negative comments on employee evaluations. After complaining to Human Resources, he was later moved to Kendall Campus’ Building L to clean mop heads, he said.
“All I wanted was a breathing apparatus. I wouldn’t have had to get into all this, “Shedrick said. “It’s like slavery all over again. It’s hard.”
