TWIN FALLS, Idaho (AP) - A federal jury has awarded nearly $888,000 in damages to a man who said his Idaho employer discriminated against him because he is Hispanic.

Ricky Garcia began working for PSI Environmental Systems in Twin Falls in 2005, with a starting wage of $13 an hour and the promise of a raise after 90 days of probation, The Times-News reported (http://bit.ly/KXXQa5 ).

"I was OK with it," said Garcia, who grew up in Twin Falls and had recently moved back to the area from California. "I knew the cost of living was less here, and I needed a job."

But Garcia contended he never got the promised raise after 90 days, nor did he receive one that had been promised after a year on the job.

Court records state Garcia received his first raise nearly 18 months after his hire, an increase of 72 cents. Eventually, Garcia said, he figured out his Caucasian co-workers were making between $18 and $21 per hour.

According to court records, Garcia applied for a maintenance manager position with the company in February 2007 and thought he'd be a natural fit for the job since he had previous experience as a head mechanic at another company. But Garcia contended he wasn't given the promotion, and instead it was filled by three other people and offered to a fourth - all of whom were Caucasians, had less experience and had been with the company for less time.