HomeMy WebLinkAbout1976 01-27 Ferrazzo seeks $25,000 in back pay in suit filed against Maplewood THE REVIEW 41
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A woman member of the Maplewood City Manager Miller, who at one time and job classifications to create a police
police department has filed suit in argued that Ferrazzo should not get equal officer classification but for the purpose
Ramsey County District Court against the pay because her duties were mainly of removing sex-biased distinctions from
city, Manager Michael Miller and the secretarial, last month told the city its job descriptions. However the Corn-
Police Civil Service Commission seeking council that he was planning to offer mission overlooked the fact that the title
$25,000 in compensatory back pay due to Ferrazzo a police officer position at a of policewoman still remained in the list
sex discrimination in her employment. salary which would account for her of classifications.
Patricia Ferrazzo,in her suit which was seniority as any other police officer. —That in mid-February, 1975 Ferrazzo
filed by attorney Judith Oakes, alleges Contacted last week, Miller had no made a request to Miller that she be paid
that since her employment since August comment to make on the pending case. according to the police officer scale.
8, 1952 he has held comparable duties to Besides the request for$25,000 in back However, he refused the request on
those of a patrolman but has not been paid pay, Ferrazzo is seeking$500 in punitive grounds that Ferrazzo's work was
with the same seniority.Ferrazzo,who is damages and a declaration that she is a secretarial in nature.
the only regu'ar woman member of the police officer entitled to full seniority for —That on March 4, 1975 •Ferrazzo
Maplewood 1w:flee force, maintains that each year of her employment. formally requested that the Commission
she has been paid approximately $150 a review Miller's decision. "At a March 20,
month less than a patrolman with similar The suit states that legal action was 1975 meeting of the Commission, the
seniority. taken when "on Dec. 23, 1975, plaintiff classification of policewoman was deleted
was notified by the Minnesota Depart- from the rules and a recommendation
ment of Human Rights of her right to made "that plaintiff receive pay ac-
obtain private counsel and to commence cording to the police officer scale," the
an individual action against defendants." suit states. .
The suit adds that no complaint has been The suit notes that the recommendation
issued by the Minnesota Department of • has not been followed."On August 22,1975
Human Rights nor has that Department plaintiff Ferrazzo filed a charge Ali
entered into a conciliation agreement discrimination based on sex with the
which plaintiff is a party. • Minnesota Department of Human
Other facts outlined in the suit include: Rights."
-That the Police Civil Service Corn- The city, at presstime, had made no
mission on Feb. 4, 1974 amended its rule response to the suit's allegations.