Tucson, AZ

Tucson, AZ: (Jul-18-07) Mary Walkinshaw, a former DNA analyst with the Tucson Police Department, brought a lawsuit against the city, claiming that the city discriminated against her by not affording her equal pay. Walkinshaw, who is now a biology and genetics professor at Pima Community College has been embroiled in litigation with the city for nearly six years. Walkinshaw, a doctorate in molecular genetics and whose work has been published in scientific journals, was hired in January 2000 as a senior criminalist for $42,000 after being told that was the most she could get. Three months later, Walkinshaw was asked to conduct a study that included salary rates in the TPD crime lab. She learned that a male counterpart at the same job level was hired at $46,500 a year before her arrival, sparking off the suit.

A study requested six months ago by the Pima County-Tucson Women's Commission found that the city met or exceeded equity standards in all departments except the City Attorney's Office, which was slightly under par, the Office of Equal Opportunity Programs claimed. In a settlement reached, the city agreed to pay Walkinshaw $200,000 to settle the dispute. City officials said Walkinshaw was not discriminated against and the offer to settle was made because legal fees were mounting. [TUCSON CITIZEN: DNA GENDER DISCRIMINATION]

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Published on Jul-20-07