A former employee claims he was repeatedly suspended and terminated without legitimate cause after raising concerns about race discrimination in his workplace, according to a recent federal court filing. The complaint was filed by Robert Green in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas on March 16, 2026, naming United Parcel Service, Inc. as the defendant.
According to the lawsuit, Robert Green, who identifies as a Black male, began working for United Parcel Service (UPS) on or about July 18, 2018. He was employed as a driver under a collective bargaining agreement that required progressive discipline before severe actions such as suspension or termination could be imposed. Green alleges that starting in or around 2023 and continuing through at least October 2025, he was subjected to what he describes as “extreme and unjustified disciplinary actions,” including two suspensions and four separate terminations. In each instance, UPS accused him of violations such as “dishonesty,” but Green asserts these actions were approved only by non-Black managers.
The complaint details that each time Green was disciplined or terminated, UPS’s own Building Manager later determined there were no legitimate grounds for the action taken against him. As a result, Green was reinstated after every incident. Despite this reinstatement process, Green states he suffered substantial losses in wages, employment benefits, and health insurance coverage during periods of suspension or termination. He also describes severe financial strain on his family due to these interruptions in employment.
Green further alleges that during his final termination in October 2025, UPS falsely claimed it had observed him purchasing and consuming alcohol while operating a company vehicle on duty. The complaint notes that despite this serious allegation—which would typically require immediate removal from duty—UPS did not administer an alcohol test nor remove him from work that day. The accusation was later proven false according to the filing.
The lawsuit claims these repeated disciplinary measures created ongoing psychological stress for Green and fostered instability in his employment situation. It also alleges broader issues within UPS regarding its treatment of Black drivers compared to non-Black drivers since at least 2025. Another Black driver named Jacobi Francis is mentioned as having filed similar charges with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission regarding discriminatory discipline affecting himself, Green, and others.
According to the complaint, many other Black drivers have hesitated to come forward out of fear of retaliation similar to what they allege happened to Green and Francis. The document states: “Green and Francis believe this conduct reflects an ongoing pattern and practice of discriminatory discipline.” Despite multiple complaints made by Green about harassment and discrimination at work, he claims UPS failed to conduct any meaningful investigation into his allegations.
The legal filing argues that any reasons offered by UPS for disciplining or terminating Green are “pretextual”—meaning they were manufactured to conceal unlawful discrimination or retaliation—and contends there was a deliberate effort by UPS management to force him out of his job. As a result of these alleged actions by UPS, Green reports needing professional counseling for emotional trauma related to his treatment at work.
Green’s complaint outlines significant financial hardship resulting from lost income and insurance coverage during periods when he was not working at UPS. He notes particular difficulty supporting a disabled child who requires ongoing care due to these losses.
In terms of legal remedies sought from the court under Section 1981 of Title 42 of the U.S. Code—a federal law prohibiting race-based employment discrimination—Green requests declaratory relief affirming that his rights were violated; an injunction barring further unlawful conduct; economic damages for lost wages; compensatory damages for emotional distress; punitive damages; attorneys’ fees; costs; and any additional relief deemed appropriate by the court.
The case demands a jury trial on all issues so triable. Robert Green is represented by attorney Victoria L. Plante of Plante Law Firm P.C., based in Houston, Texas (Texas Bar No. 00798436). The case is identified as Civil Action No. 4:26-cv-02118.
Source: 426cv02118_Robert_Green_v_United_Parcel_Complaint_Southern_District_of_Texaspdf.pdf
