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University settles with former Walnut Street employee

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by Ken Harris

Tuesday, February 5, 2008

The University of Wisconsin paid $19,500 to a former Walnut Street power plant employee who said he suffered retaliation from management for speaking out about the sexual harassment of a female co-worker.

William Black received $9,000 in damages, $10,500 in attorney’s fees and was allowed to retire in a settlement with UW.

According to Peter Fox, Black’s attorney for the case, Black filed a complaint with the state’s Equal Rights Division, claiming he had been unfairly disciplined by the plant for opposing the treatment the plant’s only female employee, Amy Gabel, was receiving.

Fox said Black “put off retirement to stick with Amy.” He accepted the settlement from the university because it was “in his best interest,” Fox added.

“It was an opportunity for Mr. Black to retire and still make the statement that he supported Amy in her case against the university,” Fox said.

Fox said Black had a clean work record until he started opposing the treatment Gabel was receiving. The disciplinary actions taken against him only began after he sided with Gabel.

“He felt he was the only person who took action,” Fox added.

UW spokesperson Brian Mattmiller said in an e-mail to The Badger Herald the university denies any retaliation took place. He added the “modest settlement” was a compromise between the two parties.

“This was a case where a prolonged and potentially costly legal battle would have done more harm than good,” Mattmiller said.

Fox, who is Gabel’s attorney for her sexual harassment lawsuit, said the suit is still in the early phases. The university has been served with the lawsuit and has submitted its written response to the court.

The motions’ deadlines and, possibly, the trial start date will be decided at the scheduling conference set for later this month.

Gabel claims she had to share a locker room with her male co-workers for almost two years and was asked by a supervisor to have sex with him. She said she was subjected to unfair discipline and harassment from the other employees after turning him down.

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