Novartis discrimination suit to go to trial
By Susan Todd/The Star-Ledger
October 21, 2009, 6:30PM
A class-action lawsuit alleging that Novartis discriminated against thousands of female sales representatives is expected to go to trial next year after a federal court judge denied the drugmaker’s motion for a partial summary judgement on Tuesday.
“Plaintiffs have demanded a jury, and a jury they shall have,” U.S. District Court Judge Colleen McMahon wrote in a two-page opinion. McMahon, who sits in federal court in the Southern District of New York, is expected to set a trial date in January.
Novartis, which is based in Switzerland, has its U.S pharmaceutical headquarters in East Hanover.
The lawsuit was brought in 2004 by 19 female sales reps currently or formerly employed by the drugmaker. In 2007, the lawsuit was certified as a class action representing 5,600 female employees.
The plaintiffs allege the company discriminated against them in various ways, including pay levels, personnel evaluations and promotions. They also claim adverse treatment of women who took leave for pregnancy.
Vincent Fitzpatrick, an attorney for Novartis, could not be reached for comment.
Steven Wittels, an attorney for the plaintiffs, said a trial was a long time coming. “They (the female plaintiffs) waited a long time to get their day in court,” he said.
You go girls!
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