PITTSBURGH--A former United Parcel Service Inc. package sorter is suing the shipping company, alleging that it discriminates against employees who take certain prescription drugs.
The suit, which seeks class action status, was filed in federal court in Pittsburgh by Darlene E. Veltri, a former UPS package sorter, and the Washington-based American Assn. for People with Disabilities.
According to the suit, Ms. Veltri was fired by Atlanta-based UPS in January 2003 after a company drug test revealed that she had traces of the anti-anxiety drug Xanax in her system. Ms. Veltri, a recovering alcoholic, had taken the drug test after completing the company's employee assistance program for workers with a history of drug and alcohol problems, court papers say.
Although Ms. Veltri's physician had prescribed Xanax for her in April 1999, the drug was barred as a condition for returning to work for employees in the EAP, the suit says.
Ms. Veltri's "job was not safety sensitive, and the Xanax did nothing to affect her job performance," said Charles A. Lamberton, a Pittsburgh-based attorney who represents Ms. Veltri.
The lawsuit, which charges UPS with violations of the Americans with Disabilities Act, seeks compensatory and punitive damages, back pay and benefits.
"UPS denies the discrimination charge, but declines to comment further on the case," a spokesman said.
For reprints of this story, please contact Lauren Melesio at 212-210-0707 or email lmelesio@crain.com
