Hutton v. GTE

Terrie Hutton is one woman who is likely to be very interested in Martin v. Texaco: her lawsuit against her former employer, GTE California, could go to trial any day now. Hutton, who fired her first set of attorneys, is now represented by Catherine Graham (with the firm of Herbert Hafif of Claremont, California) and James Guziak of Santa Ana. Hutton has argued that she was denied promotions and was demoted because of her sex and ethnicity, and that she was paid less than men doing the same or even lesser jobs. In addition to the lawsuit, GTE California is also undergoing an OFCCP investigation that was triggered by information filed by Hutton and others.

Hutton began working for GTE California in 1977 in a clerical position in the Network Operations area. In 1981, she was promoted into a management position, the first woman (and first Hispanic) to reach her level, and in 1982, she was promoted to Construction and Engineering Staff Analyst. At this point, Hutton's boss told her he would not recommend further promotions because "women were not suited for managerial positions as they lacked military training".

In 1984, Hutton filed an internal discrimination complaint, and following an investigation, was promoted to Network Engineering Administrator. She was also assigned to a special management track program that identified her as having "high growth potential". The Vice President who promoted her retired, and his successor had problems with her, according to Hutton; negative remarks appeared in her personnel file, including the criticism that she was "overly aggressive". Hutton filed a second internal discrimination complaint, but no action was taken for nine months. Hutton was told that it had been lost. Hutton was removed from the management track program, and was sent to Michigan for special training. When she returned, she learned that she had been replaced by a man, and she was given work that had previously been performed by her subordinates. When she questioned the demotion, Hutton says she was told that management realized that they "had done her an injustice" by putting her in a job for which she was not trained, and that she would be given different assignments to provide the necessary training.

Soon after, the EEO Officer met with Hutton to discuss a leave of absence; following that, a GTE attorney met with Hutton and offered her a "package" to leave the company altogether, telling her that her career with GTE was over.

Hutton filed formal charges of discrimination with the California Department of Fair Employment and Housing, and her civil lawsuit was filed in June, 1988.