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In a proposed class action lawsuit, Honda Development & Manufacturing of America LLC stands accused of systematically blocking Black employees from achieving senior positions, allegedly by keeping promotion processes secretive. The suit, filed by Johnny Bush Jr. in Ohio federal court, claims that Honda's promotional practices violate Title VII and Section 1981, effectively preventing qualified Black workers from advancing within the organization.

Honda Black Workers Promotions Lawsuit : Claims of Promotion Discrimination

Bush, a Black employee at Honda, argues that despite meeting all qualifications for leadership roles, he has been repeatedly overlooked in favor of white and other non-Black colleagues. "Despite plaintiff's qualifications...he was not considered or selected for the leadership and supervisory positions or opportunities that he expressed interest in," he stated in the complaint, adding that senior roles are consistently awarded to non-Black employees.

Serving as a staff administrator in Honda's packaging fleet maintenance unit, Bush oversees supply chain operations across Honda’s facilities in Ohio, Indiana, and Alabama. Additionally, he works as group lead in supplier account management. Yet, while non-Black group leads hold the title and compensation of a staff engineer, Bush said he has only been permitted to retain his role as a staff administrator, thereby missing out on a commensurate pay increase.

Lack of Transparency in Promotion Process

According to Bush, Honda's promotional practices are cloaked in secrecy, creating hurdles for Black employees. Job openings for senior positions are not publicly posted and are instead informally shared, giving non-Black employees an advantage. "Such 'word-of-mouth' information disproportionately excluded or disadvantaged African American employees," he stated, adding that Honda’s approach prevented Black workers from competing fairly for roles.

Bush said he has consistently informed upper management of his interest in promotions, but has not received the same access to opportunities as his non-Black counterparts. He alleges that job descriptions are tailored to fit preselected candidates, further concealing bias against Black employees. In his division alone, Bush noted that only two of the 37 professional and managerial roles are held by Black employees.

Honda Black Workers Promotions Lawsuit : Class Action Scope and Representation

Bush seeks to represent a class of more than 100 Black workers who currently or previously held supervisory, managerial, or administrative roles at Honda. This class action aims to address the systemic barriers Black employees face in obtaining leadership positions and advancing their careers at Honda.

Attorneys representing Bush include Robert E. DeRose II of Barkan Meizlish DeRose Cox LLP and Gregory O. Wiggins and Robert L. Wiggins Jr. of Wiggins Childs Pantazis Fisher & Goldfarb LLC. Honda representatives did not immediately respond to requests for comment, and the automaker’s legal counsel remains undisclosed.