By William C. Lhotka
St. Louis Post-Dispatch
Copyright 2007 St. Louis Post-Dispatch, Inc.
All Rights Reserved
CHESTERFIELD, Mo. — Firefighter Donna Kessler says her sunglasses were called “too girly” and she was barred from wearing earrings, while men working for the Monarch Fire Protection District were permitted bracelets, necklaces, tongue rings and visible tattoos.
Co-worker Dana Buckley alleges the district barred her from attending training at the Illinois Fire Service Institute even though male counterparts were approved for similar training.
Donna Weiss claims her activities and whereabouts on duty got closer scrutiny than the men’s, and claims she was told to expect retaliation if she complained about sex discrimination.
Those complaints are contained in a 12-page lawsuit the women filed Monday in St. Louis County Circuit Court against the Chesterfield-based district.
Their attorney, Mary Anne Sedey, seeks compensatory and punitive damages for them.
Fire Chief Clifford Biele was unavailable for comment. Jason Kotz, the district’s human resources director, said Tuesday the district has yet to be served and would refer the matter to lawyers.
Kessler has been a firefighter and paramedic there since 1995. Weiss was hired in 2000, Buckley in 2001.
In a press release, they said they tried but failed to resolve the matter internally.
“We love our jobs and the last thing we wanted was to bring a lawsuit against the district,” Weiss said. Buckley said she has been unable to get her worn-out protective gear replaced since she made the allegations.
The International Association of Firefighters Local 2665 is supporting the women in their suit.