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Archived News Release--Caution:
information may be out of date.
For more information call: (202)219-8211
Department of Labor officials announced today they have
reached a settlement in a case that involves "some of the most egregious and
offensive" incidents of racial discrimination and sexual harassment uncovered
in recent history.
TIMCO, a North Carolina aviation contractor, will pay
$242,600 for back wages and corrective measures in a settlement worked out with
the department's Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs. Although a
number of women quit their jobs because of the hostile atmosphere at TIMCO, the
company failed to act until the Labor Department intervened.
Former employees of TIMCO have alleged that the following
incidents occurred: One employee raffled off a knife engraved with the Ku Klux
Klan insignia. Another employee turned the company uniform hood around to mimic
a Ku Klux Klan hood. In one incident, a male employee threatened an African
American woman with rape and beating. Another woman told of an incident where a
company official grabbed her in an elevator.
Women and African Americans were subjected to other forms
of harassment and overt discrimination including being by-passed for
promotions, being subjected to racial slurs, sexually inappropriate statements,
graffiti on the bathroom walls (which cost $30,000 to remove), all of which
resulted in a pervasively hostile work environment.
"Outrageous racial and sexual discrimination will persist
unless employers send a clear, strong signal that discrimination and harassment
will not be tolerated in the workplace," Labor Secretary Robert B. Reich said.
"Corporate executives and managers across the country must become active
participants in ensuring equal opportunity and advancement for all workers."
The company has agreed to pay $140,000 for back wages and
interest, and $102,600 for training and other corrective measures. TIMCO has
also agreed to take disciplinary action against certain employees who were
found directly culpable in creating the hostile climate. The company will also
require training for its employees and revise its handbook to reflect issues
affecting its diverse workforce.
These alleged violations were revealed during a routine
compliance review by the Department of Labor Office of Federal Contract
Compliance Programs (OFCCP). It should be noted that no formal sexual or racial
discrimination complaints had been filed prior to the review. The compliance
review was scheduled in accordance with OFCCP's regular procedures.
Shirley J. Wilcher, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Federal
Contract Compliance at the Department of Labor, released a list of the most
egregious cases the OFCCP has uncovered at a Town Hall meeting in Birmingham,
AL.
Speaking at the meeting, Wilcher said: "If the employer had
taken its contractual obligation seriously, these incidents probably would not
have occurred. Affirmative action prevents discrimination," she added, "and as
these egregious cases clearly demonstrate, affirmative action in the workplace
is still needed today."
OFCCP is responsible for enforcing Executive Order 11246
and other laws requiring federal contractors to guarantee equal employment
opportunity without regard to race, gender, religion, color, national origin,
disability or Vietnam-era status. It is a part of the department's Employment
Standards Administration.
U.S. Labor Department news releases are accessible on the
Internet at: http://www.dol.gov/
Archived News Release--Caution:
information may be out of date.
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