Daggitt v. United Food And Commercial Workers International Union, Local 304a

**Daggitt v. United Food And Commercial Workers International Union: Sex Discrimination Victory** **What Happened** Susan Daggitt, a worker, sued her union (United Food and Commercial Workers International Union, Local 304A) claiming she faced sex discrimination and sexual harassment that created a hostile work environment. The union tried to argue the court didn't have authority to hear the case, but this challenge was rejected. **What the Court Decided** A jury found in Daggitt's favor, determining the union had indeed discriminated against and sexually harassed her. The court awarded her $50,000 in punitive damages and $33,847.13 in attorney fees. When the union appealed, the higher court upheld both the jury's verdict and the damages awarded. **Why This Matters for Workers** This case demonstrates that unions—not just employers—can be held legally responsible for sex discrimination and sexual harassment. Workers have the right to a workplace free from discrimination, even within union environments. The significant financial penalty ($83,847 total) shows courts take these violations seriously. Workers facing similar situations should know they can pursue legal action under Title VII civil rights law and potentially recover both compensatory damages and attorney fees if successful.