USA: Ex-worker settles a discrimination lawsuit against brewery

A former brewery worker settled a discrimination lawsuit against Anheuser-Busch, but the terms are confidential, posted The Telegraph on May 2.

George Gamas of Manchester, a former employee at the Merrimack brewery, sued the national beer company in 2003, claiming the company fired him because he was disabled, and because he is of Greek ancestry.

The company disputed his claims, and the case had been scheduled for trial today in U.S. District Court in Concord.

Gamas worked for Anheuser-Busch for 25 years.

He was fired in 2000, reinstated and then fired again in 2001. Gamas claimed he was fired because his emphysema, a serious lung disease, made it impossible for him to work in some areas of the plant. He also claimed that managers disparaged his Greek ancestry.

The plant manager, Dennis Nesbitt, stated after the lawsuit was filed that Gamas had “an extensive history of work-related complaints.”

Gamas brought related complaints to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, the National Labor Relations Board and the state Board of Registration and Nursing, Nesbitt said, but every complaint was dismissed.

Gamas’ lawyer, William Aivalikles of Nashua, declined to comment on the settlement Monday, citing a confidentiality agreement.

Anheuser-Busch lawyer Laurel Siemers did not return a call seeking comment on the case.

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