Feds: New York Tire Dealer Discriminated Against Women

The federal government says a New York-based tire dealer has refused for years to hire qualified women as mechanics and managers.

The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission has filed a lawsuit alleging that Mavis Discount Tire Inc. is violating the Civil Rights Act.

It says that of 1,300 people hired between 2008 and 2010 to such positions as tire installer, mechanic, assistant manager and manager, not one was female. It says less-qualified men were hired over them.

A call to company headquarters in Millwood, N.Y., was referred to a lawyer. Calls and an email message to the lawyer were not immediately returned.

Mavis has about 110 shops in New York, Connecticut, Massachusetts and Pennsylvania, including its Cole Muffler operations.

The lawsuit seeks jobs and back pay for women who were harmed.