B&H Once again sued for discrimination

[bdeutsch]

B&H is once again being sued for discriminating against its employees (this time it's for discriminating against its Hispanic employees). http://www.nytimes.com/2016/02/27/nyregion/bh-electronics-store-sued-for-discrimination-of-hispanic-workers.html.

Like most pro and amateur photographers I know, I've been a loyal customer for years. But perhaps it's time we stop giving our money to companies with questionable morals and illegal conduct.

Deutsch Photography, Inc.: NYC Wedding Photographer | Actor and Corporate Headshots NYC | Family and Baby Portraits

 

[R1-7D]

I have heard bad things about B&H so many times. Where there is smoke there is usually fire...


I've said this a quite a few times on this forum, but it goes double right now for the American's with their high dollar: everyone should really consider shopping at The Camera Store in Calgary, AB Canada.

They honestly give the best service out of any of the shops I've dealt with, which is pretty much all of the big ones by now. They really go to no end of trouble to help, and I've been a massive pain in the rear on multiple occasions.

Since there's no duty on camera equipment thanks to NAFTA, might as well take advantage of the low prices while they last.

 

[N2itiv]

I'll take that into consideration, R-1.
For now, though, I think my USD's will go to CPW. Money saved for more needed gear.

 

[AlanF]

Do you shoot first and ask questions afterwards? Where I come from, we assume that someone is considered innocent until proven guilty.

 

[Otara]

The article says they've already been found guilty once. Its only a question of whether they're guilty twice.

Otara

 

[beforeEos Camaras]

I have read the article. sounds like the union using lawsuits for leverage in notations for a contract. as this this issue is only located at one of the 3 warehouses.

I buy at a brick and mortar store and pay full msrp on all my goods that I buy.

so I feel the internet is a fickle place and justice is misplaced in a storm of words and rhetoric.

lets see what the judge and jury have to say on this matter

 

[Loswr]

The article says they've already been found guilty once.

Where does it say that? It says the previous lawsuit was settled, if you believe that means they were "found guilty," there are serious gaps in your understanding.

 

[RGF]

I have read the article. sounds like the union using lawsuits for leverage in notations for a contract. as this this issue is only located at one of the 3 warehouses.

I buy at a brick and mortar store and pay full msrp on all my goods that I buy.

so I feel the internet is a fickle place and justice is misplaced in a storm of words and rhetoric.

lets see what the judge and jury have to say on this matter

just because you pay full MSRP (or more correctly MAP) does not mean the store treats its employees right. Nor do internet stores necessarily treat their employees poorly.

Needs to be judged on a case by case basis.

 

[Big_Ant_TV_Media]

QUESTION IS?
WILL ANYBODY HERE REALLY BOYCOTT B&H AND CEASE BUYING FROM THEM AT ALL LIKE THEY SAY AND POST ON FB AND IG?
im due for monopod for my 5d3 and 7d2 too shoot sports with and new camera bag
this new accusation now has be thinking do i give them my business when it comes time too preorder
the 5d4 "whenever that is"

 

[beforeEos Camaras]

I have read the article. sounds like the union using lawsuits for leverage in notations for a contract. as this this issue is only located at one of the 3 warehouses.

I buy at a brick and mortar store and pay full msrp on all my goods that I buy.

so I feel the internet is a fickle place and justice is misplaced in a storm of words and rhetoric.

lets see what the judge and jury have to say on this matter

just because you pay full MSRP (or more correctly MAP) does not mean the store treats its employees right. Nor do internet stores necessarily treat their employees poorly.

Needs to be judged on a case by case basis.

true the store I buy from has 6 employees or 3 in each of the two locations.

I know most by name the store buys direct from canon. yes its pricey but I shop as best I can

at small shops and local shops I don't buy at best buy etc. but I get my needs met

 

[Orangutan]

The article says they've already been found guilty once.

Where does it say that? It says the previous lawsuit was settled, if you believe that means they were "found guilty," there are serious gaps in your understanding.

This quote is strongly suggestive of a finding of guilt or an admission of guilt as part of the settlement. I think "already" is justified, based on the article.

Until 2012, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission had been monitoring the company’s hiring and compensation practices as a result of an earlier discrimination suit. The company settled that suit in 2009 by agreeing to pay $4.3 million to 149 employees who were paid less, withheld from promotions or denied benefits because they were Hispanic.

 

[martti]

That's what unions are for.
For B&H this is very bad publicity and the legal consequences will cost a lot of money.
Ugly thing, racism.

 

[dak723]

That's what unions are for.
For B&H this is very bad publicity and the legal consequences will cost a lot of money.
Ugly thing, racism.

Yes, ugly. And not just racism, but sexism as well. Hiring only men does not quite meet the equal opportunity standards. And separate restrooms for the non-whites. Good lord, I thought we were passed that sort of crap. (no pun intended.) They will certainly not get any of my business.

 

[9VIII]

Last I heard unions still aren't worth what they charge.
But poor working conditions are unacceptable. It's a hard thing to judge.
Of course, maybe now is the right time for it since the idea of "just get a job somewhere else" may be excessively difficult. Laborers are probably justified in being extra protective at this particular point in history.

 

[Mt Spokane Photography]

I have read the article. sounds like the union using lawsuits for leverage in notations for a contract. as this this issue is only located at one of the 3 warehouses.

I buy at a brick and mortar store and pay full msrp on all my goods that I buy.

so I feel the internet is a fickle place and justice is misplaced in a storm of words and rhetoric.

lets see what the judge and jury have to say on this matter

Read up on their Attorney and law practice. They are basically activists taking on corporations to squeeze millions in attorney fees out of them while the workers get little or nothing.

http://www.mmsjlaw.com/

 

[Loswr]

The article says they've already been found guilty once.

Where does it say that? It says the previous lawsuit was settled, if you believe that means they were "found guilty," there are serious gaps in your understanding.

This quote is strongly suggestive of a finding of guilt or an admission of guilt as part of the settlement. I think "already" is justified, based on the article.

Until 2012, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission had been monitoring the company’s hiring and compensation practices as a result of an earlier discrimination suit. The company settled that suit in 2009 by agreeing to pay $4.3 million to 149 employees who were paid less, withheld from promotions or denied benefits because they were Hispanic.

Yes, I can read. Do you understand that there's a difference between settling a lawsuit and being found guilty? Are you aware that many, if not most, settlements include the accused specifically not admitting wrongdoing, or that in many cases it's more cost effective for a company to settle a lawsuit (reduce litigation fees, settlement often covered by insurance) than to go to court?

So let me ask again... Where does it say that B&H was previously found guilty? Feel free to highlight the relevant text in the color of your choice.

Please note I'm not excusing any such (alleged) practices. But they say that technicality is the soul of the law...

 

[martti]

So B&H was coming out clean from the trial and decided to pay the workers 4.3 million dollars anyway?

Wow. How are they still in business?

 

[Loswr]

So B&H was coming out clean from the trial

So there was a trial? Well, I guess facts don't matter much to some people.

 

[takesome1]

I thin it is very admirable that B&H only hires Hispanic males to work in unsanitary conditions and be harassed.
I know I wouldn't want my wife or daughters working in those conditions.
However not allowing other males from other races to be hired for those conditions is just wrong. All males should be allowed to work in those conditions not just Hispanics.

I will continue to buy at B&H. Recently I returned an item and while talking to the rep he told me there were 600 or 900 employees in the customer service department. Two complaints over the lifetime of this company is nothing.

 

[Orangutan]

So B&H was coming out clean from the trial

So there was a trial? Well, I guess facts don't matter much to some people.

The word "guilt" has meaning beyond its courtroom definition. I'll leave it to you to check various dictionaries. Since few of us on this forum are lawyers, the sense of the word should have been clear.