EEOC settles pregnancy suit

Kevin & J Co., an Atlanta-based retailer, will pay $15,000 and furnish other relief to settle a pregnancy discrimination lawsuit filed by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission related to its Chattanooga store, the agency said Wednesday.

In its suit, the EEOC said the retailer violated federal law by discharging Jenny Thosychangh because of her pregnancy. The complaint said Thosychangh worked as an associate for two days at the store and was fired immediately after she advised her store manager of her pregnancy.

A three-year consent decree settling the lawsuit also prohibits Kevin & J from future discriminating against employees on the basis of sex or pregnancy.

Roy Herron

Republicans hit over bill idea

Tennessee Democratic Party Chairman Roy Herron has criticized state Republicans related to comments this week about a possible federal bill enabling works council-type labor boards at companies without need of a union that could benefit Volkswagen.

"Gov. [Bill] Haslam and Sens. [Bob] Corker and [Lamar] Alexander have done everything they can to have it both ways on the issue of bringing new VW jobs to Tennessee, obstructing the process of sealing the deal [to bring a new vehicle line to Chattanooga.] Focusing on past failed legislation, interfering in worker elections, and issuing veiled threats to VW in the midst of worker elections has been a recipe for disaster," Herron said in a statement.

Corker said Monday he's looking "very closely" at a bill that could permit the labor boards. Haslam said Tuesday he likes the idea.