PSEG worker agrees to settle alleged discrimination case, court records show

A PSEG Long Island field worker who sued the company and others alleging racial and medical discrimination has agreed to a settlement in the 3-year-old case, according to court records.

Terms of the settlement were not listed in the federal court docket for the case of Andre Hinds, a 24-year company veteran whose complaint detailed years of alleged discrimination by a succession of operating companies and managers. 

Lawyers for Long Island Servco, the holding company managed by PSEG that continues as a remaining defendant, and two of its managers in an Oct. 21 filing with the court said they had attended a private mediation conference on Oct. 13 "which resulted in a settlement in principle." The suit originally named seven managers, two PSEG divisions and National Grid, among others, most of whom were released from the case after successful motions to dismiss before the settlement. All had denied the allegations in court responses. 

The case originally accused the companies and managers of an "ongoing pattern and practice of discrimination against Black employees" and those who have been absent from work "due to valid protected medical leave."

Magistrate Judge Lee G. Dunst last week, citing the settlement, adjourned all upcoming deadlines in the case, and ordered the parties to file a stipulation of discontinuance by Nov. 30.

Hinds declined to comment, and his lawyer didn’t respond to a request for comment.

PSEG spokeswoman Katy Tatzel, in an email, said, "PSEG does not publicly discuss personnel matters and would simply like to reaffirm its commitment to an inclusive workplace. Our top priority is the safety, security and well-being of all of our employees."

The original 42-page complaint included photographs of nooses found in a company work yard and derogatory Photoshopped images of Hinds. The images were circulated by coworkers and left on his work locker, according to the suit, which alleged Hinds was subjected to more than a decade of racial and medical discrimination by the companies, which have operated the electrical grid under contract for LIPA, starting the year after he was hired in 2004.

National Grid, which was released from the case, was the operating manager for the LIPA grid before PSEG took over in 2014.

In an amended complaint filed in the case, Hinds alleged the discrimination and harassment continued even after his initial complaint, charging company managers consistently made him the "last person to get a truck or tools to do his job," while failing to equip him with the latest equipment, including then newly released 800-amp tools given to those with less seniority, he charged.

When Newsday reported on the noose incidents in 2023, a company spokeswoman said, "Behaviors, acts and symbols of hate like these have no place at PSEG Long Island or the worksites we occupy and will not be tolerated."

She added, "The safety of our employees is paramount and as an immediate step, the security presence on site has been enhanced. In addition, further security cameras and lighting are being installed and further measures are being reviewed."

By Mark Harrington

mark.harrington@newsday.comMHarringtonNews

Mark Harrington, a Newsday reporter since 1999, covers energy, wineries, Indian affairs and fisheries.