South Jersey Employment Lawyers: Settlement for Racial Discrimination

Local 25, a northern New Jersey sheet metal trade union, has been ordered to pay $1.6 million dollars and other damages to African-American and Hispanic journeypersons who were victims of employment discrimination. Local 25 allegedly discriminated against these groups in the assigning of hours and jobs. The claims against the union were filed by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) in the federal District Court for the Southern District of New York.

This lawsuit has a very long history, evolving as the players have changed over the past fifty years. The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) initially filed the suit against Local 25’s predecessors, the Sheet Metal Workers’ International Association Local Union No. 10, and the Local 10 Joint Apprenticeship Committee, back in 1971. In 1974, the EEOC replaced the DOJ as prosecuting counsel. Then in 1981, Local 10 merged with other unions into Local 28 of the Sheet Metal Workers’ International Association and the Local 28 JAC of Northern New Jersey. In 1991, Local 25 pulled away from Local 28. The EEOC has recently settled with the Local 25 and its Joint Apprenticeship Committee.

Earlier court actions resolved all issues of alleged wrongdoing that occurred prior to April of 1991. The recent settlement addresses violations that occurred during the ten-year period between April 1991 and December 2002. An analysis of hours and wages showed that African-American and Hispanic journeypersons were assigned less work hours than their white counterparts during this time. As part of the settlement, Local 25 also agreed to an injunction against discriminating against workers on the basis of race and national origin.

The EEOC enforces federal laws prohibiting employment discrimination. The agency has identified six priorities it will pursue between 2013 and 2016, including eliminating discriminatory barriers to recruitment and hiring. According to Kevin Berry, EEOC New York’s District Office director, the agency is committed to ensuring equal opportunities throughout the construction trade. The agency seeks to use remedial agreements such as the one achieved in this case to rid the industry of racial discrimination.

South Jersey Employment Lawyers at Sidney L. Gold & Associates, P.C. Represent Victims of Racial Discrimination

If you believe that you have suffered an adverse employment action due to age, disability (real or perceived), gender, national origin, race, religion, pregnancy status, ancestry, sexual orientation, marital status, or history (or lack of) military service, you may be entitled to compensation, including back pay. The experienced South Jersey employment lawyers at Sidney L. Gold & Associates, P.C. have a successful track record of representing clients who have been discriminated against. To discuss your case, call us at 215-569-1999 or contact us online today.