NEW ORLEANS – A Louisiana woman sued her former employer in federal court alleging it discriminated and retaliated against her, and created a hostile work environment.
Plaintiff Latoya Tremell Gaines filed her lawsuit in U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana.
Among her allegations against defendant Ryder Integrated Logistics Inc. are: race discrimination, retaliation, hostile work environment, defamation of character, wrongful termination, and other state law claims.
Gaines, a Black woman, was employed with Ryder at its AT&T logistics facilities in Jefferson Parish, Louisiana. She began working for Ryder in May 2025.
Initially, she worked through Express Employment before becoming Ryder’s permanent U-Verse Stock Clerk, or URSA. She was then assigned to Ryder’s AT&T logistics operation; she worked primarily at Bonnabel Yard and Duncan Yard located in Kenner, Louisiana.
According to her lawsuit, she was responsible for inventory management, receiving telecommunications equipment, distributing materials to AT&T technicians, maintaining inventory accuracy; organizing warehouse stock, and ensuring technicians had necessary equipment.
She claims she “worked diligently” for Ryder and “consistently” sought advancement within the company.
“Rather than reward Plaintiff’s work ethic and professionalism, Ryder subjected Plaintiff to racial hostility, disparate treatment, retaliation after she complained of workplace misconduct, and ultimately terminated her employment after she reported being physically assaulted by a coworker,” the 17-page complaint states.
“Instead of protecting the victim of workplace violence, Ryder disciplined and terminated Plaintiff while allowing the aggressor to remain employed.”
Gaines claims only months after her termination did Ryder finally remove or discipline several of the individuals responsible for supervising her former workplace.
At the center of the allegations is Gaines’ co-worker, Ronda Potts. Gaines claims that Potts, who is white, interfered with her ability to perform her assigned work.
Among other things, Gaines alleges Potts: monopolized warehouse equipment; prevented Gaines from timely obtaining inventory; intentionally delayed Gaines’ work; improperly directed inventory placement; defamed Gaines’ character; undermined Gaines in front of management; and created “unnecessary conflict” within the warehouse.
Gaines contends Potts also became “increasingly hostile” towards her after Gaines realized valuable inventory – modems – had been improperly designated as scrap.
“Ronda threw inventory labels toward Plaintiff in an aggressive manner,” the lawsuit states.
Gaines argues that rather than correcting Potts’ behavior, management permitted the conduct to continue.
She contends Ryder, through its supervisors, also tolerated racially offensive language in the workplace.
“On one occasion, supervisor Joseph Sica, who is white, became frustrated regarding workplace issues and stated: ‘I’m tired of these lazy ass n***ers,’” the filing states.
According to the complaint, Potts also yelled profanities at and shoved Gaines. Despite notifying her manager and law enforcement officers reporting to her workplace, Ryder failed to take any “appropriate disciplinary action” against Potts, Gaines contends.
Instead, Ryder allegedly retaliated against her for making a video recording of the assault.
“Plaintiff reasonably believed the recording was necessary because management had repeatedly failed to address Ronda’s misconduct,” the lawsuit states, noting Ryder suspended Gaines without pay and then terminated her employment in February 2026.
“Defendant did not suspend Ronda following the physical altercation. Instead, Ronda continued working.”
It wasn’t until months later – following the demotion and removal of other employees – that Potts was terminated, in June 2026.
Gaines seeks lost wages, salary, bonuses, commissions, benefits and other compensation including back pay, front pay or reinstatement, compensatory damages, damages for her physical injuries and medical expenses as well as pre- and post-judgment interest and attorney fees.
The Bagneris Firm LLC in New Orleans is representing Gaines in the lawsuit.
