TBTA worker awarded $735k compensation for anti-semitic discrimination

A federal jury in Manhattan yesterday awarded a Triborough Bridge and Tunnel worker, Gregory Fishman, $735k in damages for anti-semitic discrimination by his boss at the Queens Midtown Tunnel.  Fishman, 45, was a "bridge and tunnel maintainer" from 1991 to 2006.

As well as the $735k damages already specified by the jury, the judge in the case, US District Court Judge Lawrence McKenna  is considering Fishman's claim for compensation for lost wages.

Fishman resigned because of what he said was endemic anti-semitic harassment and discrimination at the tunnel.

Fishman's law suit alleged that Peter Senesi the manager of the Queens Midtown Tunnel was the leading anti-semite. The complaint said that Senesi systematically passed over for promotion workers who were Jewish. In one set of tests 14 out of 38 qualified for promotion but only Fishman and another Jew were denied promotion. On one occasion Senesi was claimed to have openly expressed his anti-semitism with an expletive.

Senesi is not commenting.

TBTA has not said whether it will appeal the verdict in the case.

TBTA is a separate legal entity of New York State. In terms of management it is a subsidiary of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority which also runs New York City Transit, the Long Island Railroad and other rail and bus services. TBTA is sometimes referred to as MTA Bridges and Tunnels division.

TOLLROADSnews 2008-07-30