A former employee is taking legal action against a prominent transportation company, alleging a series of unlawful employment practices that have left him without a job and seeking justice. Nathaniel Webber filed the complaint in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana on November 3, 2025, targeting First Student, Inc., First Student of Orleans, LLC, and Amalgamated Transit Union Local 1560.
The lawsuit claims that during his tenure with First Student starting in May 2022, Webber faced discrimination and retaliation that violated several federal laws including Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Webber alleges that after suffering a workplace injury resulting in a torn labrum shoulder injury, he was subjected to increased hostility and disparate treatment from his supervisors. Despite being covered by a collective bargaining agreement (CBA), Webber contends that his employer failed to comply with its terms regarding discipline and workplace accommodations. When he raised concerns about these violations, he was met with unwarranted disciplinary actions.
Further compounding his grievances, Webber claims that once management became aware of a previous lawsuit he had filed against another employer, the harassment intensified. He describes being unfairly denied employment opportunities and receiving disciplinary write-ups for pretextual reasons. For instance, he was reprimanded for not answering a phone call while driving—a violation of company policy prohibiting phone use while operating vehicles—and disciplined for attending an authorized physical therapy session related to his injury.
Webber also accuses his union, Amalgamated Transit Union Local 1560, of failing to fulfill its duty of fair representation under the Labor Management Relations Act (LMRA). Despite multiple attempts to seek assistance from union representatives following his termination on May 6, 2025, Webber asserts that his calls were ignored or delayed without explanation. The union’s failure to act left him without recourse against what he views as wrongful discharge and retaliation.
In this comprehensive legal battle, Webber seeks all available legal and equitable reliefs including back pay, front pay in lieu of reinstatement, compensatory damages for emotional distress and reputational harm, punitive damages for willful disregard of his rights by First Student entities under Title VII and ADA provisions, as well as attorney’s fees and costs. He also demands damages against the union for breaching its duty to represent him fairly.
Representing Nathaniel Webber is attorney JP Gorham from JP Gorham Attorney At Law LLC based in Baton Rouge. The case is presided over by Judge Nathaniel Webber in the Eastern District of Louisiana under Case ID: 2:25-cv-02254.
Source: 225cv02254_Nathaniel_Webber_v_First_Student__Complaint_Eastern_District_of_Louisiana.pdf
