National Grid Fails to Ditch Mechanic’s Race Discrimination Suit

National Grid USA Service Co. Inc. must face trial on most of a former employee’s claims that he was treated differently than his White co-workers due to his race.

There are “numerous” fact disputes related to Calvin Smith’s discrimination and retaliation claims that only a jury can resolve, Judge Nusrat J. Choudhury of the US District Court for the Eastern District of New York said in a Wednesday opinion. But National Grid is owed summary judgment on some of Smith’s retaliation and discrimination claims, the judge said.

Smith, a Black and Hispanic man who worked as a mechanic, alleged ...