The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission yesterday filed a federal lawsuit alleging that Straub Hospital and Hawaii Pacific Health failed to hire at least seven women over the age of 40 for security positions because of their gender and age.

The suit said that since at least June 2004, Straub and Hawaii Pacific engaged in unlawful employment practices at their Honolulu locations by failing to hire the seven and others.

The suit asks for a court order directing the companies to stop discriminating on the basis of sex and age. It also asks that they provide back pay and other relief, including punitive damages.

Claire Tong, director of marketing and public relations for Hawaii Pacific Health and its affiliate Straub Hospital, said they had no immediate comment because they were reviewing the lawsuit.