McCullers v. Koch Foods of Alabama LLC et al

On May 19, 2025, plaintiff McCullers filed a federal lawsuit against Koch Foods of Alabama LLC and Koch Foods Inc. in the United States District Court for the Middle District of Alabama. The complaint alleges that the plaintiff, an African American employee, was subjected to a racially hostile work environment and discriminatory treatment while working at Koch Foods' poultry processing facility. The lawsuit claims violations of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and 42 U.S.C. Section 1981, asserting that supervisors and coworkers used racial slurs, displayed nooses, and imposed disparate discipline and job assignments based on race. The plaintiff also alleges retaliation after complaining about the discriminatory conduct. The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission had previously issued a right-to-sue letter, allowing the case to proceed in federal court. The plaintiff seeks compensatory and punitive damages, back pay, and injunctive relief.

The case was filed on May 19, 2025, and is currently pending in the United States District Court for the Middle District of Alabama. No final judgment has been rendered as of the current date.

Whether Koch Foods created and tolerated a racially hostile work environment in violation of federal anti-discrimination laws, and whether the company retaliated against the plaintiff for engaging in protected activity by reporting racial harassment and discrimination.

The case has drawn attention to working conditions in the poultry processing industry in the American South, highlighting ongoing racial discrimination concerns in industrial workplaces. Civil rights organizations and labor advocates have cited the case as evidence of systemic workplace inequality faced by minority employees in the food processing sector.