Air Force sued by five workers at Robins

ROBINS AIR FORCE BASE - Five white, male civilian workers at Warner Robins Air Logistics Center are suing the Air Force, claiming its appraisal system discriminates based on race and sex. <br> <br> In a lawsuit filed Wednesday, the workers say their performance appraisals, which are used to determine raises, promotions and retention, were downgraded to fit a race- and gender-based quota system. <br> <br> Four of the men also allege age discrimination. <br> <br> The plaintiffs -- Willie Barber, Bill Bobbitt, Danny Kilgore, Samuel Rawlins and Dwight Stone -- are assigned to the software division of Robins&#39; Avionics Management Directorate, but their attorneys say the practice could be widespread. <br> <br> Attorney Alysa Freeman said, ``We suspect it&#39;s probably basewide, and that it may be bigger than that.&#39;&#39; <br> <br> Base officials would not comment specifically on the suit Wednesday. <br> <br> However, in a prepared statement, base spokeswoman Faye Williams said, ``We remain firmly convinced that the credible evidence will demonstrate that the civilian appraisal system ... was appropriately followed.&#39;&#39; <br> <br> The suit, filed in U.S. District Court in Macon, asks the court to certify the lawsuit as a class action, meaning many more workers could join the case. Freeman said ten other workers at Robins have contacted her office with similar complaints. <br> <br> The lawsuit does not name any dollar amounts but asks for back pay, lost benefits, lost money for pensions and bonuses, attorney&#39;s fees and other compensatory and punitive damages.

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