A former employee that once worked for Gregg County is now suing the county for wrongful termination. The Longview News Journal reports that the employee, Willie R. Bush, worked as a dump truck operator for Precinct 4 from March 2005 to April 2008, but was fired for violating rules and policies.
But Mr. Bush believes that rule violation was not the real reason for his termination. Mr. Bush and his Texas employment lawyer are arguing that he was fired because he had pointed out inconsistencies in employee pay and treatment. He tried to appeal his termination to the Gregg County Commissioners Court in August 2008, but the county upheld his termination with a 3-1 vote. Mr. Bush's lawsuit marks the first wrongful termination case brought against the county since County Judge Bill Stoudt took office in 2003.
Before Mr. Bush decides to take this case to court, he plans to sort out this issue through mediation, where he is hoping for some sort of agreement or settlement. A mediation hearing has been scheduled for April 5.
"If our attorney and his attorney can come to an agreement, then the mediation process will be completed," Mr. Stoudt told the Longview News Journal. "If not, there would still be a possibility of the case going to trial."
FindLaw states that wrongful termination cases often result with a former employee receiving money damages, lost wages, a severance package, or other adequate compensation. To learn more about employee rights upon losing a job, see FindLaw's Related Resources or contact a Texas employment lawyer for information about filing a claim.
Related Resources:
- Ten Things to Think About: Wrongful Discharge (FindLaw)
- Looking Beyond Wrongful Termination (FindLaw Knowledgebase)
- Find a Texas Employment Lawyer (FindLaw)
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