To be prime contractor , you need deep pockets
Wonder if the lawyers get paid only if they win
JACKSON, Miss.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jackie Williams and Renna Fisher, African American principals of Fish & Fisher, a ten-year old construction company, have filed a civil racial discrimination and conspiracy action against Toyota of North America; the State of Mississippi Development Authority; and Haley Barbour, Governor of the State of Mississippi, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Mississippi, Western Division. (Civil Action 3:09 CV 179-DPS-JCS)
The legal action claims that Fish & Fisher, Inc., a Mississippi Corporation located in Jackson, MS, was denied the opportunity to bid on the Toyota Plant construction project in Blue Springs, MS, as a prime contractor. “Toyota North America, with the aid and assistance of the State of Mississippi’s Development Authority, held a closed bid for white-only prime contractors,” stated Byron Perkins, attorney for the plaintiffs. “The bid process was racially discriminatory and is in violation of the Civil Rights Act of 1866, codified at 42 USC § 1981,” Perkins added.
Toyota and the State of Mississippi opened a bidding process for a forty-nine million dollar ($49,000,000.00) construction project. “The bidding systematically excluded African American companies. Fish & Fisher, even though qualified and licensed by the State of Mississippi as a general contractor, was not given the opportunity to bid as a prime contractor. In addition, Fish & Fisher had been certified by the National Minority Council as a minority prime contractor, prior to this Toyota project,” stated Renna Fisher, president of Fish & Fisher.
L & T Construction, a white owned company, partnered with M & H Construction in order to meet the financial qualification as prime contractors and was awarded the contract. During the initial phase of the work, M& H Construction dropped out of the project; however, the contract was not rebid.
Fish & Fisher entered into a subcontract with L & T Construction for six-million dollars to clear 500 acres of land and move 3.5 million cubic yards of dirt. “It soon became evident that the contract was in trouble as work slowed down and equipment set idle on the construction site. Work on the project was intermittent over a period of time and payment to Fish & Fisher stopped. Fish & Fisher turned to Toyota for remedies to the situation but received no satisfaction,” stated business owner Jackie Williams.
Fish & Fisher have been teetering on the verge of insolvency. It was clear from the beginning that they didn’t want us out there. We showed up every day ready, willing, and able to work; and most days we put in ten to twelve hours of hard work in intense conditions. While we were there, we were treated like second-class citizens, denied access to pertinent information, threatened, and eventually terminated,” Ms. Williams continued.
First Class, Inc.
Media Contact:
Bunnie Jackson-Ransom, 404-505-8188
or
Legal Contact:
Byron Perkins, 205-244-1115
