ROCKLAND — Despite raising their concerns about pay equality in 2011, 2016 and 2024, two female employees of Knox County said in a civil rights action filed June 23 in U.S. District Court that Knox County remained in violation of the equal pay law, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, and the Maine Human Rights Act.

Lynn Talbot, of Rockland, and Stephanie Laite, of Union, said in their suit that they were being paid $2 to $3 less, "than a male employee who is responsible for substantially equal and comparable work."

Talbot has worked as a Victim Witness Advocate in the Knox County D.A.'s Office since 1998. Laite was also a Victim Witness Advocate, working in the same office since 1986.

In their suit, they cite male employees in the same office but with a different title with a job requiring "substantially equal and comparable" skill and training, as well as education and experience, earning more money.

In 2024, they raised the issue again, but said no remedy ensued. They then filed a joint complaint of sex discrimination with the Maine Human Rights Commission, and on June 17, the Commission issued notices of right to sue to Talbot and Laite.

Laite and Talbot are represented by Melissa Hewey, of Drummond Woodsum, in Portland. Their suit outlines a discriminatory record of Knox County and ask that the County Commissioners and D.A.'s Office provide, "effective civil rights training for all human resources employees and all supervisors on the requirement of applicable laws prohibiting employment discrimination because of sex and equal pay protection and complete this training within 60 days of the entry of Judgment for Injunctive Relief";

"Provide this training for two years after the date judgment is entered to all new human resources and supervisory employees within 60 days of their starting position;

"Maintain attendance sheets identifying each person who attended each training session and forward a copy of the attendance sheets to Ms. Talbot and Ms. Laite’s counsel within seven days of each training session;

"Post at the Knox County District Attorney’s Office a copy of a remedial notice detailing the judgment in this case as well as the order providing injunctive relief; and

"Send a letter printed on Defendants’ letterhead to all Knox County District Attorney’s Office employees advising them of the judgment in this case, enclosing a copy of their policies regarding anti-discrimination and equal pay protection, and stating that they will not tolerate any such discrimination, and will take appropriate disciplinary action against any employee or agent who engages in such discrimination."

Talbot and Laite also see back pay for lost wages and benefits and unpaid wages for unequal pay, liquidated damages in an amount equal to twice the amount of her unpaid wages for unequal pay, compensatory damages in an amount to be determined at trial by a jury, punitive damages in an amount to be determined at trial by the jury, and legal fees.