NTEU Attorneys File Suit
Lawsuit Alleges Sex Discrimination on Behalf of Tampa CBP Officers

NTEU attorneys have sued the Secretary of Homeland Security in a federal court in Florida over the decision by CBP management at the Port of Tampa to designate certain assignments on the night shift for female CBP Officers only. The suit alleges that CBP management’s use of sex as a factor in assigning CBP Officers to shifts, schedules and work units violates federal anti-discrimination law.

CBP management contends that its discriminatory assignment policy ensures that enough female CBP Officers are available to conduct pat downs of female passengers entering the United States who are suspected of breaking the law. But CBP has been able to accomplish its mission successfully in the past without resorting to discrimination. And the policy has forced both male and female CBP Officers into assignments that have disrupted their family lives and inhibited their career advancement.

NTEU is aware that other ports may be implementing similar discriminatory policies. A goal of this lawsuit is to spur CBP to treat all of its officers across the country fairly and equally.

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