MBTA worker awarded $2.6M in discrimination suit

A federal jury has awarded $2.6 million to a former Boston-area transit worker who said she was the victim of racial discrimination when she was fired in 2013.

Michelle DiManche had worked for the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority for 13 years as a Green Line trolley operator before she was fired. Her lawsuit claims she was subjected to “racial discrimination as a means to humiliate and ultimately terminate her.”

The T said DiManche was fired after a series of disciplinary actions, Boston.com reported.

Spokesman Joe Pesaturo said the T would fight the decision.

“The MBTA will pursue its arguments before the trial court, and if necessary on appeal, to have this result reversed,” he said in an email to Boston Metro.