San Diego

A group of current and former UC San Diego employees filed suit Tuesday against the university, alleging that they were demoted or fired from their jobs on racial grounds.

The suit, filed in San Diego Superior Court, claims that the workers’ civil rights were violated and that they were discriminated against because they are black, Latino and Filipino.

It also alleges that the university misled the workers into thinking they would be eligible for pay raises and promotions.

The suit, which lawyers say has the potential to become a class-action claim on behalf of “numerous” workers, was filed on behalf of nine employees at university administrative facilities, classrooms and hospitals.

The nine held jobs such as X-ray file clerk, painter and custodian, according to the suit.

The amount of damages sought was not disclosed.