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PENNSYLVANIA RECORD

Friday, March 29, 2024

Man claims discrimination by U-Haul operation, former boss

Discrimination 18

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PHILADELPHIA — A former general manager trainee is suing U-Haul Company of Pennsylvania and Gerald Solarski, a company official, citing alleged breach of contract, discrimination, intentional infliction of emotional distress and wrongful termination.

Michael A. Knight Sr. filed a complaint on May 16, in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania against the defendants, alleging that the former employers violated the Civil Rights Act and the Pennsylvania Human Relations Act.

According to the complaint, the plaintiff, an African-American man, alleges that he was not accepted for a position he was hired and trained for, but instead, the position of general manager was given to a Caucasian who did complete the General Manager Training Program. On December 14, 2013, he alleges, he sustained an injury while shoveling snow, resulting in his being disabled. On January 21, 2014, upon his return to work, he advised defendant Solarski of his disability, he claims. Instead of accommodating his disability, he says, he was replaced by another employee and was terminated from employment on February 12, 2014. The plaintiff holds U-Haul Company of Pennsylvania and Solarski responsible because the defendant allegedly subjected him to discrimination and disparate treatment, refused to give him the position he was hired and trained for, falsely advised him that there were no manager positions available in the region and constructively terminated his employment.

The plaintiff requests a trial by jury and seeks compensatory and punitive damages, attorney fees and costs and such other relief as the court deems just and equitable. He is represented by Nixon T. Kanna of the Law Offices of Nixon Teah Kanna in Philadelphia.

U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania Case number 2:16-cv-02369

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