Peabody woman alleges gender, age bias in suit against light plant

SALEM – A Peabody woman who claims she was passed over for a promotion because of her age and gender at the Peabody Municipal Light plant has filed a lawsuit in Salem Superior Court.Maritza Gilmore, a 60-year-old Peabody resident, filed the legal action for discrimination Wednesday against the City of Peabody and the Peabody Municipal Light Plant.Gilmore started working for the Peabody Municipal Light Plant as a clerk approximately 10 years ago and states her work has always been satisfactory or better.In October 2008, she applied for a posted position of Energy Conservation Specialist at the light plant, a position with higher pay and status.Two months later, after plant officials failed to promote her, she filed a grievance.The grievance was in effect until April 29, 2010 when Gilmore was told her union was withdrawing her case for a scheduled arbitration.A male, approximately 13 years younger, who Gilmore says was less qualified with substantially less seniority, was given the job.Gilmore contends no explanation was ever provided for the failure to hire her for the position despite her being more than qualified, having seniority and the only applicant on the Permanent Civil Service list.Attorney Mitchell J. Notis of Brookline filed the court action on her behalf and seeks a judge of the court to enter a judgment in her favor.