© 2024 WSIU Public Broadcasting
WSIU Public Broadcasting
Member-Supported Public Media from Southern Illinois University
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Judge Denies Class Action Status in Case Against SIU

SIU School of Medicine
SIU School of Medicine
/
SIU School of Medicine

A federal judge has refused to grant class-action status to a lawsuit alleging wage discrimination against female doctors at Southern Illinois University School of Medicine.

The State Journal-Register in Springfield reports the case, initiated by former SIU surgeon Dr. Sajida Ahad and joined by four other female doctors, will proceed after the ruling by U.S. District Judge Sue Myerscough.

Myerscough said Ahad failed to show there was a "common cause'' to produce a "common answer to the questions of whether and why compensation for female physicians was lower than compensation for similarly situated male physicians.''

The lawsuit alleges female physicians at SIU were being paid more than $12,200 per year less than male doctors for similar work.                

SIU officials, who have denied Ahad's allegations in the past, declined to comment on Myerscough's Sept. 12 ruling.

As a WSIU donor, you don’t simply watch or listen to public media programs, you are a partner. By making a gift, you help WSIU produce, purchase, and broadcast programs you care about and enjoy – every day of the year.