The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission has filed a lawsuit against Phoenix-based Schuff Steel Co. alleging harassment and retaliation against African American and Hispanic employees at the company’s location in Eloy, south of Phoenix in Pinal County.
The lawsuit alleges that Barnett, who is Black, and other African American employees were subjected to racial harassment by plant manager, who is white. The suit said Bell worked as the company's plant manager in Eloy from 2001 to 2016 when he voluntarily resigned his position. In 2017, Bell was rehired as plant manager and continues to hold that role with the company, according to the lawsuit.