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Archived News Release--Caution:
information may be out of date.
For more information call: (202) 219-8743.
Smith & Wesson, Inc., of Springfield, Mass., has agreed
to pay up to $450,000 in back wages to 1,600 women who were denied jobs over a
two-year period because of unfair hiring practices, Secretary of Labor Robert
B. Reich announced today.
"Workers are to be considered for employment based solely
on their qualifications and not their gender or some other unrelated factor,"
Reich said. "Equal opportunity for all American workers is the law of the land
and this administration is committed to enforcing equality in the workplace."
Smith & Wesson, a major firearms manufacturer, produces
a variety of Firearms at its Springfield plant and has contracts with the
federal government to supply the military services and law enforcement
agencies.
Labor Department investigators said the review of hiring
practices at Smith & Wesson's Springfield facility showed that although
1,600 women applied for production or craft positions between July 1, 1985 and
June 30, 1987, none were hired.
The agreement between Smith & Wesson and the
department's Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP) was
approved by a Labor Department administrative law judge. It resolves violations
found during an OFCCP review in 1987 that found Smith & Wesson had failed
to treat qualified female applicants equally in its selection process for jobs
as roduction machine operators and revolver fitter trainees. These violations
occurred between July 1, 1985 and June 30, 1987.
The settlement calls for back wage payments to the 1,600
applicants who can be located. Consequently, release of the total $450,000 will
depend upon the number of discrimination victims who come forward.
OFCCP will notify the women applicants, obtain a signed
release from them and provide Smith & Wesson with a final listing of the
individuals who are eligible to receive back pay. Smith & Wesson is
responsible for sending a check for the appropriate amount to each individual
and to notify OFCCP of action taken.
Following the 1987 review, the Labor Department attempted
to bring the company into compliance with federal equal employment opportunity
and affirmative action requirements through conciliation efforts, which failed.
As a result, the department filed an administrative complaint against Smith
& Wesson alleging the company failed to comply with its obligations as a
federal contractor. The consent decree announced today resolves that
administrative complaint.
In addition, Smith & Wesson has agreed to design and
implement an internal audit and reporting system to measure the effectiveness
of its total affirmative action program. Smith & Wesson employs about 1,700
workers.
Assistant Secretary for Employment Standards Bernard E.
Anderson, said: "We will pursue a tough and responsible enforcement policy to
ensure that employers provide access to equal employment opportunity in the
workplace."
OFCCP, which conducted the compliance review, enforces laws
requiring federal contractors and subcontractors to guarantee equal employment
opportunity regardless of race, gender, color, religion, national origin,
disability or veteran status.
Archived News Release--Caution:
information may be out of date.
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