A former employee has filed a lawsuit against two major corporations, alleging severe racial discrimination and retaliatory termination. Randy Patterson lodged the complaint in the United States District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania on August 23, 2024, targeting SWM Holdings US, LLC (d.b.a. SWM International) and Aerotek, Inc.
According to the court documents, Patterson was employed as a Machine Operator at SWM's Richland factory from early March 2024 until April 8, 2024. He was hired through Aerotek, which conducted his background check and provided onboarding orientation. During his employment, Patterson claims he faced "severe and pervasive race discrimination" from multiple SWM employees who allegedly directed racist insults at him multiple times each week. Some of these included comments like “you’re the type of black people that thinks he’s white” and “black guys don’t last in here.” Despite being aware of this behavior, SWM managers reportedly failed to take any corrective action.
Patterson alleges that he reported this discriminatory behavior to both SWM's First-Shift Manager and Aerotek's Lebanon office manager on April 5, 2024. Just three days later, on April 8, he was informed by Aerotek that his employment had been terminated. Patterson believes this termination was a direct retaliation for his complaints about racial discrimination.
The lawsuit seeks recovery for lost wages—both past and future—as well as compensatory damages for emotional distress and punitive damages. Patterson is also asking for litigation costs and attorney’s fees.
Representing Patterson are attorneys Peter Winebrake and Mark J. Gottesfeld from Winebrake & Santillo, LLC. The case is presided over by Judge Christopher C. Conner under Case ID: 1:24-cv-01438-CCC.